Moong Ke Cheelay, Linda Style!

I will not pretend that I know a thing about Indian cuisine. Other than the fact that the mere aroma of Indian spices sends my mouth a waterin'! And while I do love the exotic flavors, I do not love the heaviness of many of the saucy dishes. And admittedly, I have not had Indian food in probably a year. Mainly due to my weight-loss diet. However, since starting my Valeodida Diet a couple months ago, I have been on the look-out for interesting recipes that don't incorporate meat, grains, dairy or sugars. I have also been doing a lot of sprouting, which helps make a lot of things easier on my tummy. In a casual conversation with the Indian woman I sit next to at work, she asked if I ever "mash" my sprouted mung beans to make "pancakes".

What??! I had to learn more! She gave me this recipe for Moong Ke Cheelay. It fit all the criteria of my Valeodida way of eating, so I immediately set some beans to sprout in preparation for trying out this new recipe.

In true Linda fashion, I made some modifications. First off, I did not have Mung Beans on hand, and so my pancakes are made from French Green Lentils. The recipe I was given only instructed that the beans be soaked for 4 hours, whereas mine were fully sprouted. I also did not have asafoetida , which is some sort of a root herb that helps with digestion, and lends a leek-like flavor. So I substituted with some other spices. I also took my own avenue on the filling as well . .. seeing that I had only edamames on hand, along with an over abundance of cauliflower. And so my final version very loosely resembles the recipe that was given to me (in more ways than one, I'm sure). But it really was quite delicious! The filling had a bit of kick to it, which was balanced nicely by a lil' sweet. The pancakes were mild in flavor, and may have been a bit thick. I think next time, I might water down the batter a bit. And I love the fact that I can take the basic pancake idea, and make it more sweet than savory. I would like to try a version with cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, etc.. . for breakfast!!

And now, without further ado, my take on the traditional Indian dish, Moong Ke Cheelay:  (I don't really measure -- so ingredients are to be eye-balled and incorporated using best judgement!)

pancakes
approx 1 cup sprouted French Green Lentils
freshly grated ginger
fenugreek (freshly ground)
ground cumin
garam masala
coconut milk (canned, unsweetened) and water
salt

- - mix very well in blender. keep adding liquid (I used a combination of coconut milk and water) until the proper consistency is achieved. fry the pancakes with a lil' olive oil or in a sprayed pan. my pancakes were 1/4 cup of the batter, spread thin, and cooked until golden brown on each side.

filling
fresh chopped cauliflower
fresh chopped onion
chopped edamame beans
coconut milk (canned, unsweetened)
garlic
ground cumin
dal makhani (or whatever indian spices on hand)
cayenne pepper (to taste)
something sweet (probably should have used raisins, but I can't have them so I used dash of Stevia)

-- cook this up in a saucepan. let it simmer for quite a while. it should be a very soft filling.

It all starts with sprouted French Green Lentils.
A very tasty treat.. . all on their own!

The blended batter! The green specks
are the skins of the lentils.

The filling, cooking down nicely!

A stuffed pancake. In all honestly, not much
to look at. But the combo of flavors is fantastic!

Otto enjoying a Moong Ke Cheelay pancake!
(and a few sprouted lentils on the side)

Valeodida, it is!

I am still cleansing. Candida cleansing. It has been eights weeks since I have eaten grains, dairy, carbohydrates, sugar (including honey, agave, etc.) and fruit*. While I have reason to believe my body is on the mend and has, for the most part, eradicated itself of the candida overgrowth, I am continuing (and adapting) this way of eating for the long term.

My way of eating doesn't have a name, which makes things kind of difficult. I've adopted pieces from various diet philosophies to create an amalgam that works for me. I have dubbed this eating style. . Valeodida!

V (for Vegetarian) - I've always been vegetarian. Historically, I have eaten lacto-ovo (consuming dairy products and eggs, but no meat or fish). I have now dropped the dairy, but eat eggs as a primary source for protein. (Almost a vegan -- except for the pretty boots, and buttery soft car seats.)

ALEO (for Paleo) - More and more people are eating a Paleolithic diet, which consists mainly of fish, meat, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots and nuts. If you haven't heard about this eating philosophy, it is based around eating as our Paleolithic ancestors would have, a million years ago (this is a.k.a. the Caveman diet). Assuming our bodies were designed to eat in such a manner, it is seen as a more natural way to go. Paleos exclude grains, legumes, dairy, potatoes, salt, sugar and processed oils. I am very close to this, except I am a bit more stringent in that I don't partake in fish, meat, fruit or fungi (due to the candida link).

DIDA (for Candida) - Don't feed the yeast!!! As I've written about before -- Candida Cleanse diet removes carbs and sugars from the system, so excess yeast don't have anything to feed on. It is in this third prong, that I lose my fruit, due to the sugar content. Candida cleanse also allows for meat/fish, as does Paleo. But of course, the vegetarian in me won't have any of this, so again, my way of eating ends up being a bit more restrictive.

I am meeting with my naturopath next week, to fine-tune a healthy eating plan that will support this framework I've established. I am pretty certain I will stick to my guns on much of this. Especially after trying to reintroduce ancient grains around week four (I felt very sick and started the detox process all over again). I'll be keeping the grains and grain-like seeds (like quinoa, millet) out. As for sugars. . who needs those??? I have adapted quite nicely to my new philosophies on food. It was not at all as difficult of a change as one might imagine, once I committed to doing what's right for my body. Based on all the research I've done, I have outlined for myself the healthiest and most natural diet I could possibly fathom. And for the record, you heard it here first. . . VALEODIDA!

*Note: there are several exceptions to these rules. For example. . .I am allowed the high-fiber fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries. I am allowed goat cheese and plain yogurt. Stevia is the only allowed sweetener. These exceptions are taken from the Candida Cleanse rule book, based on how the body processes sugar, the carb conversion, glycemic index, and a bunch of other stuff that is rather complicated. Oh, and over the past two months there have been a couple cheats: approx. 4 TBS of raw honey, 6 dried cranberries and half of a dried pineapple ring have been consumed. There. Confessions do feel good.

Project 333, Phase 3: The Rejects

What a slow, tedious process refining my final list has been! But I have put much thought into it, and I believe I am just about down to my final 33. I'm glad I took this time to rethink my items, and make a thoughtful selection that will support my main goals: achieving versatility and adding a bit of "pizzazz". I'm pulling together the final list for posting as I speak. But for now, the official "au revoir" to those items that made the cut. . .and then didn't make the cut:

Alasce Cardigan
(The North Face)
I ended up with too many cardigans.
While I like the length and warmth
this one offers, I think I can get the same perks
out of a couple others that are staying.

Cowlneck Sweater
(GAP)
Too warm! I can only wear this sweater
on super freezing days. Adore this
colour, but it just doesn't offer enough versatility.

Fitted Boyfriend Ruffle Shirt
(GAP)
I had two "Fitted Boyfriend" shirts
on my original list. I love them both,
but something HAD to go. I figured
this one might be too "wintery" given
the dark flannel plaid. In trying
to steer myself toward a "seasonless"
wardrobe, I chose the other (a blue check).

Drop Shoulder 3/4 Sleeve Sweater
(French Connection)
The 3/4 sleeves don't make the cut! I often
need to rely on my down vest when the down
coat is too much insulation.
I need to make sure my arms are toasty!
Also afraid this colour washes me out.

Mini Polka Dot Yoke Front Blouse
(J.Crew)
A birthday gift from me, to me! Love this
colour on me, but it just doesn't play well with
the rest of my wardrobe. Too much
of a lone wolf.

Black Silk Neck-Tie Blouse
(Target)
Again, another blouse that doesn't
mesh well into the rest of my wardrobe.
Found I could only really get away
with this when worn with jeans.
Plus, with my blue-black hair, I don't
care too much for black tops.

Cowlneck Long Sleeve Tee
(GAP)
This shirt is just too big for me, to the
point of being frumpy. And as previously
stated, with dark tops, there's just
not enough contrast with my dark
hair color, and I tend to wash out.

Long Sleeve Puff Shoulder Tee
(GAP)
I found that I was only wearing this tee with
one thing. . .the grey jumper dress.
No room in my wardrobe for a
one-outfit-wonder. ..so it must go!

Pure Body Long Sleeve Tee
(GAP)
I think I can accomplish what this
tee did for me, with a couple other
options. Basically, it was a duplicate
effort!

Wool Miniskirt with Front Kick Pleat
(Ann Taylor LOFT)
This skirt was quite big on me, which
made the elimination decision quite easy!

Plaid Trousers
(Banana Republic)
These were too conservative for my
new wardrobe mission. Not to mention,
they required ironing.

Matchstick Cords
(J.Crew)
Two words:  Too. Big.

Stefanie Clogs
(Dansko)
These are so comfy, but I really only
wore them with one pair of pants.
And given how open they are,
they aren't exactly winter friendly.

Magenta Skinny Belt
(J.Crew)
This is such a darling belt, in a versatile, funky
pop of crazy color. But I couldn't
afford the luxury of it. I needed
to stick with workhorse accessories
that I could fully mix and match
into my wardrobe. This ended up
being somewhat limiting.

Project 333, Phase 3: Update!!

Well, my final list has been stalled. I had posted a preliminary list (Project 333, Phase 3: The List) a few weeks back, and as I was working to whittle away seven items, I discovered an error in my count! Luckily, it was to my favor and I only had to whittle down three items. But it got me thinking. As I was looking over my list again and again (. . .and again!), the overall style just felt wrong to me. It was far too conservative. My personal style has run the gamut through the years, from Ultra Preppy (I was voted EGHS Class of '90 Class Prep, afterall!) to Hippie Boho. Either I am a style schizophrenic or everyone morphs through stages in their personal style. Well either way, I decided that for this phase, my wardrobe should meld my two extreme styles, so that my creativity in dressing will not be hindered, and I may fulfill any style whimsy that comes my way.

Another thing that kept popping into my head, was something I had read from an interview with Nanette Lepore (check out the amazing stuff on Nanette Lepore's website). When asked about her upcoming line, she replied that "more and more, everyone wants their pieces to be seasonless". How about that?! I've said it before. . anyone that knows me, knows I love a challenge. My wheels started turning. The notion of putting together a core wardrobe that could carry me for 365 is very appealing, indeed. It won't happen with Phase 3, but perhaps with the future Phase 4. I believe I could make this work, with a new set of parameters; a set core with limited variables that are switched out between the seasons? I don't know, I will have to mediate on this one. My preliminary Phase 3 list was not that far off from being some sort of a resemblance of a seasonless core. Sure, I have some courduroy and one heavy sweater, but I think with some conscious effort, I can get it on track. Part of what I will be considering over the upcoming days.

So my final Project 333, Phase 3 list is currently being refined, in order to meet a new set of criteria:

1. It will consist of a balanced set of conservative 
    and bohemian pieces, that can easily intermix 
    and play well together

2. I will strive to include pieces that will support 
    and set the groundwork for a potential 
    "seasonless wardrobe" in the near future

3. No items that require ironing or dry-cleaning 
    will be considered (my rule from Phase 2, 
    that just makes a whole lot of sense!)

Can't wait to see what I come up with. This should be interesting. . .

The Candida Cleanse Diary

I am nearing the end of Week 3 of a Candida Cleanse. Day 20, to be exact.

What is Candida, anyway? Candida is basically a yeast that lives naturally in your body. On occasion, the balance of your system can get out of whack and the Candida can become overgrown, causing mild to severe symptoms. Often, this will happen after use of antibiotics, as was the case for me. Many people have an overgrowth, and don't even realize it.. . or they simply live with symptoms day after day, not knowing the cause behind them.

My first experience with a known Candida overgrowth was two years ago, after Otto was born via C-Section. I was given heavy duty antibiotics after surgery, and about a week later my skin (mainly on my torso) became covered in an itchy rash! Thanks to my mother-in-law, who suspected a Candida infection and had me take a saliva test, which proved positive for an overgrowth. She advised Acidophilus (a probiotic) and a very loose version of the Candida Cleanse diet I am currently following.

After battling some ongoing issues with my body since Thanksgiving, I realized I needed to put my system back in balance. My Naturopath and I decided a strict Candida Cleanse might be just what the doctor ordered! There are a million and one versions of a Candida Cleanse out there. After doing research on the internet, I became so overwhelmed by the contradictions in theories of acceptable/prohibited foods, that I ultimately decided to follow my Naturopath's recommendations and look no further!

You see, a Candida Cleanse is designed to basically starve the yeast. By cutting out the yeast's food source (um. . evil sugar), you will ultimately kill off the yeast. Easier said than done. "Sugar" includes all carbohydrates, including the complex variety (whole grains), dairy (due to the lactose, with the exception of plain yogurt and fresh goat cheese).Many other things are prohibited too, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, certain nuts (peanuts, pistachios, cashews -- due to high mold content), mushrooms, vinegar (except apple cider vinegar), etc. And of course, the foods we would conventionally think of as "sugar" (cane sugar, fruit, honey, agave, maple syrup, corn syrup, etc..) are all prohibited. Being a vegetarian (and a vegetarian that is still calorie counting toward a weight loss goal!), this leaves me little to work with.

I originally set out to do this cleanse for two weeks (typically, people with a systematic Candida overgrowth, are on the cleanse for a minimum of three months!). After week one, my saliva test reported negative overgrowth. Great news! But still, I decide to carry through with my original plan and also figured I'd tack on a third week. Why not?! And to be perfectly honest, now that I'm closing out my third week, I am planning to keep with the diet even longer. As you can imagine, with all of these food restrictions, the consumption of anything that resembles a processed food has screeched to a halt. It just feels so great (mentally and physically) to be eating in such a clean manner. It's more work than I had imagined, since all my food needs to be prepared from scratch, by me. There are few shortcuts, but I have figured out a trick or two along the way. Cooking and eating within the parameters of this diet is as a challenge. It has almost become a game for me. Those who know me, know how much I do love a challenge.

I thought I would share a few of the dishes I've truly enjoyed while on this cleanse. Some of these have become a staple go-to food item that I always have on hand. Some of these recipes I obtained from the small collection of Candida Cleanse dishes my Naturopath set me up with from the beginning. Some I learned in just talking with people with similar diets. And some I thought of, completely on my own!

Chilled Tomato-Vegetable Soup
This was a staple in my fridge from Day 1! Very easy to make, and I tried
several variations. The key ingredients are: organic vegetable juice,
seeded cuke, celery stalk, green bell pepper, fresh cilantro lots of garlic
a gread Candida killer)!  Blend up veggies until mostly smooth, then whisk in 1 cup
plain yogurt. I also like to add a squeeze or two of  fresh lemon juice and
a good crack of black pepper. 

Cauliflower-Crust Pizza
This recipe was modified from a version I found on the internet.
The crust is made with grated and cooked fresh cauliflower, an egg, garlic,
herbs and a bit of vegan parmesan cheese. It is baked at 400* for about
 30 min, and then toppings are added, and then it's put under
the broiler. The top pizza is a simple homemade tomato sauce with oil
cured black olives and vegan parmesan cheese. The pizza below it is topped
with sauteed spinach, goat cheese, oil cured black olives and pine nuts.
It's really delish. Pizza, it is certainly not.
But if you can't have the real thing. . this is a great alternative!

CCCC (Candida Cleanse Chocolate Cake)
And then I discovered coconut flour (thanks to one Miss L.A.!!), and a
whole new door opened for me! And behind that door, was a myriad of
pseudo-baked goods. Certainly not what we might think of, when we think of
 traditional baked items. But they are a welcome bite of something sweet.
This basic batter consists of: 2 TBS of coconut flour, with equal part egg white
(or egg beaters), stevia (as desired), 1/2 TBS flaxseed, a dash of baking soda
(thanks to one Miss D.T.!!), a dash of salt, a dash of cinnamon, a bit of good
vanilla extract and unsweetened almond milk added until batter consistency
 is achieved. That is a great basic cake batter. To make chocolate, simply
add a heaping TBS of unsweetened baking cocoa. I also like to mix in unsweetened
 raw coconut flakes. (Note: These cakes can be microwaved for about 2 minutes,
or spread thin in a loaf pan and baked at 350* for about 20 minutes.)

CCBC (Candida Cleanse Blueberry Cobbler)
Blueberries and raspberries are about the only fruits allowed on the cleanse
(within moderation). For this variation on the CCCC, I took the basic
batter recipe (above) and simply swirled in a handful of blueberries in lieu of
the cocoa powder. I then topped with plain yogurt.

CCCM (Candida Cleanse Chocolate Mousse)
This is my personal concoction!! Start with a couple TBS of almond butter,
add in at least a TBS of unsweetened baking cocoa, a bit of vanilla extract, some
stevia to taste. Start adding unsweetened almond milk, whisking, until it looks
 fluffy and light! (another variation is to add less almond milk,
more cocoa, and you will get what tastes like a dark-chocolate
 brownie batter. . or a truffle center!)

Veggie-Rich Omelette
Eggs have been my ally on this cleanse. Omelettes filled with any
variation of sauteed fresh veggies (here: garlic, onion, spinach)
and a sprinkle of vegan cheese, were a weekend breakfast favourite!
Quick and easy for dinner too.

No-'Tater 'Tater Tots
These tots, are made with pureed frozen cauliflower. mixed with a bit
of vegan cheese and spices (garlic powder, dried minced onion, S&P).
A small bit of the mixture is formed into a small ball,
dropped into a bowl of vegan parmesan
cheese, and then flattened, pressing cheese into the tot.
They are then baked at 400* until
they are browned on both sides
(flipping if needed -- about 25 min in my oven).

[Cauliflower] Chips + Dip!
A variation on the No-'Tater 'Tater Tots, per my Mother's
suggestion, I used the same pureed cauliflower mixture,
added a few extra spices (like dried chives & paprika)
and vegan cheddar cheese, then spread the batter in chip
sizes, super thin on a well-sprayed cookie sheet.
 I pressed as flat as I could, then dowsed with vegan
 parmesan cheese. These should bake 350*
for however long it takes! And it will take awhile.
Flip as you go, and you just want them as brown
as can be on both sides. They crisp up very nicely
and will even retain crispiness the next day!

For the dip: plain yogurt, finely minced onion,
finely minced garlic, paprika, garlic powder, S&P

[Cauliflower] Chips + Dip were a huge hit in my house.
Out of all my Candida Cleanse dishes, they were probably
the most loved by everyone. . .especially lil' Otto!

i am an idiot but in this case it's a good thing.

As I am sitting here, reworking and eliminating items from my way-too-long "Project 333, Phase 3" list, I discovered something. A mistake. A simple jump in numbers, which has instantly made my task infinitely easier:

"...3, 4, 9, 10..."

WHAT??!!

What happened to items 5, 6, 7 and 8??  Well, It looks like all my pieces are accounted for in the list, so I have to assume I simply made an error in numbering. Which means. . instead of being over by the 7 items as I originally thought, I am only over by 3 things! This is very good news, indeed. And with all this wiggle room, I will consider a couple adjustments and might even keep an item or two that might have been on the chopping block.

What a luxurious error!

Take a look at the revised list, including some new eliminations:
Project 333, Phase 3: The List

33 for '13! (my project 333: phase 3)

Size 14 to Size 4...in 4 months!!

Since I have been somewhat remiss in my postings, I have a bit of catching up to do, for the record. In my last diet-related post, I had reported a weight loss of 19.6 pounds. (Boy, how out-dated that number is!) It's about five months later, and to date I have lost a total of 42.6 pounds! WOW! And while I am super pleased with my progress, I have 11 pounds to go to meet my initial weight loss goal.

(Incidentally, my goal weight was a somewhat arbitrary number that fell within my normal BMI range. Although, I have to admit that I have my doubts that I will be happy at that goal weight. I've never seen my body at this weight before, and I fear that much lighter will just be too skinny for me. But I'm not sure I want to give up before reaching the goal I set either. So, my plan is to hold steady my course, and just keep at it until my goal is reached. If I need to gain back any pounds, I'm sure that won't be a problem!)

During this period of weight loss, my Project 333 has been put completely on hold. With a steady drop in sizes, selecting a core 33 proved to be a nearly impossible challenge for me. I was trying to keep track of my wardrobe in my mind, and stick to a minimalist approach, but I'm afraid I did not do a very good job. You see, in all honesty it's pretty fun to buy clothes in the smallest size you've ever worn, and then dress up a body that is brand new to you. Initially, I was trying to thrift new pieces as my sizes were diminishing, since the clothing inside my armoire was nothing short of transient. But it hasn't always worked out that way. I'm afraid my emotions got the best of me, and I might have strayed from some of the P333 philosophies I truly endorse.

And so with a New Year right around the corner (and along with it, a spending moratorium in our house!)...the party's over and it's time to get my minimalist wardrobe back on track. Not to mention that my size fluctuation has just about tapered off. So it's the right time to crack down on my 33 for '13!

I have my preliminary list of those 33 items that will carry me through the first three months of 2013. Unfortunately, it is coming in at about 39 items, which means I need to shave off 6 things! Ugh! This is the truly difficult part. I'll be ironing that out over the next few days and will post my Project 333, Phase 3 list soon. I also have to reiterate what a lovely surprise it has been, having so many people check-in with me on my P333 status over the past few months. I'm always surprised at how genuinely interested people seem to be with this endeavor. This is a great project, with a strong message, and I appreciate the interest and support it generates.

. . . until 2013, everyone!

i like bees.

I just got a new tattoo! It's been a few weeks now, but she is all healed up and looking just lovely.

She is Apis Mellifera Ligustica.

You might know her as Italian Honeybee, which has been the most common honeybee in the western hemisphere since the colonial settlers first brought them across the ocean. This particular design, on which my tattoo is based, was taken directly from a 1910 Encyclopedia Britannica woodblock print.

"Why a bee?", you might be asking. This is a question I've heard more times than I care to count over these past few weeks.

I could ramble on about the deep-rooted symbolism of honeybees; how in cultures all around the world, they represent industry, harmony and loyalty. Or I could link this lovely beauty on my forearm to divine feminine energy (most of the bees that run a bustling hive are female, after all). I could also go on and on about how important honey bees are to agriculture and how crucial they are in feeding all of humanity. Or I could advise the curious folks to simply look around at state flags, town seals, common house adornments...even the Hindu Krishna, to find for themselves the significance of bees in this land of "milk and honey".

But I will most likely do none of this. A while back, I read an interesting article written by a famous tattoo artist which spoke to the symbolism of tattoos. The basic observation was that people often over-analyze their own tattoos and even tend to romanticize and embelish their meaning; I'm guessing in an effort to justifying the ink (either to themselves or to others..who knows!).

I, however, do not feel the need to do this. And while I may have just touched on some of the fundamental reasons for my love of the honeybee, I think that when it comes to tattoos, sometimes a bee is just a bee. And if you happen to ask me, "Why a bee?", I will likely respond with the most simple, direct and honest answer I can think of: "I like bees."

Weight Loss, Safety Pins & Thrift Shops

I am writing this blog post, wearing jeans secured with a safety pin.

Left unbuttoned, I can wrap the fabric over on itself and secure tightly with a pin. Throw a longer shirt or a dress on top, and nobody will even know. These used to be my skinny jeans, but now they fall off me. Very good news for a dieter, indeed.

I have lost precisely 19.6 lbs to date since I started my calorie-counting diet back in May (see my post, "Confessions of a Dieter", for more information on my weight loss agenda). Within the past couple of weeks, many of my clothes have become ridiculously big, to the point of looking silly. I've already had to retire a few items. It is a bitter-sweet feeling, and kind of a weird predicament. You see, I have about 30 lbs to go (almost four months) before I reach my weight loss goal, assuming I continue on the current trajectory. But no matter how you look at it, it's quite a long ways to go.

So what to do about my clothes in the meantime? Trust me, I want the weight to keep rolling off. I hate to put any negative energy out into the universe that might prevent that from happening. I don't want clothes to be a stumbling block (mentally or otherwise), which is why this dilemma needs resolution now.

I have participated in the Project 333 (see my post, "Project 333...Perhaps?", for more information on Project 333) for two phases. I love this Project and what it does for my life. I had planned on starting my next phase on July 1, which did not happen. I mean, how can I formulate a proper list when I have an armoire full of ill-fitting clothes? Safety pins can only take me so far....right?

About three weeks ago, the family and I headed over to the Goodwill. I actually snagged up two pairs of great summer pants that juuuuuust fit. Believe it or not, they are already getting loose on me. Not such a huge deal, since I think I paid less than $5.00 for the lot. I am typically a person who will save up for several weeks to afford a special piece of clothing. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for, especially with clothing. So lately, especially as Fall lines are coming out, I'm having to curb myself from scouring websites and catalogs, planning what will be added to my wardrobe this coming season. But alas, I am coming to accept that this just isn't realistic and won't be happening.

My friend Beverly has gone through a similar weight loss in her life. When I asked her how she handled it, she mentioned having clothing tailored. Of course!! Why didn't I think of this before? I mean, one of the best seamstresses I know actually lives with me....my mother! There are some things (like my skinny jeans) that just won't be ideal candidates to be "taken in". But dresses and skirts are simple to alter; darts can even be added if the alteration is drastic. I've already asked for my mother's help. When I first started shedding pounds, I purchased an adorable navy dress from Free People. (Linda, really dumb move!) I almost instantly "under-grew" the thing to the point where it looked like a tent on me. But I love that dress, with it's bias seams and black ribbon cross straps! Mom just finished the alteration, and it's 100x better. She really is the best.

And so I believe I have my plan. I will continue this course of making-do with what I have, altering those items that make sense, and even safety pinning here and there, as required. I will supplement other items as needed from the Goodwill or my local thrift shop, with minimal investment. As I get closer to my goal, probably in early fall, I will reassess how well this is still working for me, and go from there. I will also participate in Project 333. I will make my list based on the current state of my wardrobe, and allow for switches as clothing needs to be swapped out for smaller thrift shop finds (similar items swapped for similar items, of course). And I think that going the thrift shop route also preserves the integrity of Project 333, since I am simply recycling goods and not over-consuming, putting more "stuff" out into the world.

Although I must confess. Emma and I just got back from a trip to New York City. We visited several lovely clothing shops, but I held steady my course and refrained from buying. However, Urban Outfitters was having a sale on their Cigarette Fit skinny jeans. I tried on a pair in my appropriate size, and fell in love with them! With an extra discount on sale items, how could I resist? The deal was sealed!

Finally, I can retire my old skinny jeans, and say goodbye to one safety pin!

Confessions of a Dieter

Most of my friends and family know that I am in the midst of a hardcore diet*. With four weeks behind me, the scale is telling me that I've lost 9 lbs. I am pleased as punch, since my target weight loss rate is 2 lbs per week. I am slightly ahead of the game!

(*When I say “hardcore”, I mean that I view this as a challenge and am therefore pursuing it with acute attention and deliberation. When I say “diet”, I am referring to a controlled and planned manner of eating, in which the daily intake of calories is monitored and limited.)

Basically, I am calorie counting, which I openly acknowledge has its flaws. But I am naturally a fairly healthy vegetarian eater, drawn to mainly vegetables, fruits and whole grains. So, personally, I'm not too concerned, but those with a penchant for junk food might want to proceed with caution I would imagine. But what do I know? I mean, after all, I have never been on "a diet" before this one. Never, ever! In fact, other than the occasional visit to the doctor's office, I had never stepped on a scale before this venture. (Darren actually had to give me a tutorial on how to use our digital scale before my first weight-in.)

With a BMI that has always been just too high, it's been preying on my mind that perhaps my usual maintenance routine of keeping a somewhat active lifestyle, just wasn't going to be enough to bring the numbers down to where they ought to be. Darren and I both decided it was time to shed some real pounds, so we started this diet together four weeks ago. Having a diet partner has made all the difference in the world! I might go so far as to say that in many ways, this is a bonding experience for us. We not only share in the daily experiences of dieting and cheer each other on as the pounds come off, but together, we also look for new healthy recipe ideas, then plan and cook our strategic lo-cal meals. It really has been surprisingly fun.

We are utilizing the iPhone app "Lose It!" to track out daily calories and weight loss. The app generates your weight loss plan and daily calorie allowance based on your gender, weight, height and goals. Right now, she's giving me around 1,100 calories a day, but this gets a bit lower every week when I record a new weight. I suppose fewer calories are required to sustain less body mass, so this will be a continuing trend that I will have to contend with.

I find the whole idea of a controlled calorie intake interesting. Especially relative to my own behavior and reaction to it. In my mind, the bottom line, and the reason so many people dislike diets, is because it is a loss of freedom to do (eat) whatever we please. My personal confession, as unhealthy of a behavior as this may be, is that I seem to be a calorie hoarder. Although I am never hungry and I don't think I've ever eaten all my allotted calories in a given day, my measly 1,100 calories just doesn't seem enough in my mind. I continue to reserve quite a few calories over the course of the day, so that I am left with a nice little buffer at the end... just in case.

Humans are such curious creatures.

Besides observing my own behavior, I am also learning about the mechanics of dieting. Sure I watch and study the caloric values of the various foods I eat, but I am also researching how the body loses weight, when it loses weight and where the weight goes. I find the science and chemistry of it all so fascinating. Some might say I am obsessing. That is what I do.

Darren and I will be tracking our diet clear through August. I am committed to stick to it and eat within my Lose It! guidelines. We'll just have to wait and see what happens with my weight. I imagine it will keep going down, but i have been readings about plateaus, which I am ready to deal with, if and when the time comes. I do have some pretty lofty goals (somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 lb!), so if all keeps to this current trajectory, I will be continuing well past the end of summer.

Wow...9 lbs! That really was easy.

It's amazing what a huge motivator a little success can be.


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(On a side note, there is a friendly little wager in our house over who will lose the most percentage of body weight by our milestone date of August 31; whoever drops the most weight will be getting a brand new tattoo!)

Project 333: Phase 3... Let's Get Started Already!!

Lately, a few people have been asking me if outfits I am wearing are part of my Project 333. The simple answer is "no". But I do find it interesting that other people have actually taken a genuine interest in my Project 333. (Click here, to learn more about Project 333.) And even more intriguing is the fact that these people have been mostly men. Who would have thought?

It is full-on spring in Connecticut. Lots of rain, and lots of temperature swings. A couple months ago when an unseasonable wave of early warm weather hit, I packed away my hardcore winter stuff - goodbye wool, corduroy and boots! I retained the lighter things that could work for me in early spring - tee shirts, lightweight cardigans and jeans...you get to stay! But as time is marching on and I have yet to lay down my plan for Phase 3, I find myself engaging in acts of complete desperation. I am pilfering my stash of clothes in the basement like nobody's business. As my mantra becomes "I have nothing to wear", I am grabbing random articles left and right, trying to hobble together a decent outfit. The worst part is that these items are taking up permanent residence in my armoire, and it's getting pretty crowded in there!

I know exactly what is going on. I am lost. When I am between phases, I have no direction. I feel sloppy, and I am simply a confused mess (mentally and otherwise). I have said it before, and I will say it again: Project 333 gives me structure. It forces me to actually plan a wardrobe, and my style, such as it is, comes off more cohesive.

My Phase 2 ran for about 5 months, beginning last November. I selected items that could carry me through an entire New England winter, and I included only items that did not require ironing. This really worked out wonderfully for me. I had an exceptionally difficult schedule this winter. On many mornings I had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get myself out the door. Um, 4:30 a.m.?? I can't even see straight at 4:30 a.m., never mind get myself dressed! My 33 were seriously a lifesaver this winter. And I had worked in enough flexible options so I was able to mix things up and not get bored; I really did a great job strategically selecting my pieces for Phase 2.

As I start my Phase 3 list, I am entertaining the idea of bringing back items that require ironing. I am finding that a no-iron restriction really limits me, since I tend to gravitate toward structured pieces, most of which require ironing. For this Phase, my mind is turning to bright, clean colours, set off against a base of navy blue and khaki. Navy and khaki might sounds boring to some, but...ooh how classic and preppy! I can't resist. I will be "shopping" my reserve of clothing, tucked away in the basement over the next week. How cool is it that you can put something away in a box, and when you revisit it after a year, it's somehow full of new life and potential!

I am also planning a few new purchases. My KEEN Irving bag has finally bit the dust, so I am in the market for a rugged waxed canvas tote to replace the old girl. And then there are shoes. Last summer's work shoes were limited to the Goldenrod Fluevog Viardots and the Crimson Dansko Sissy Sandals. But I have my eyes on two other potential lovelies for Summer 2012: Kork-Ease Avas in Natural and a classic pair of Bloch Ballet Slippers (color to be determined). Shoe selection will be contingent on clothes selection, so I'll have to just wait and see what makes the cut.

I have much to work through. I'm hoping to iron out a list (pardon the pun) over the next week...so stay tuned!

Mother Mary & Local Radio

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am not a religious person. But the notion of religion has always fascinated me. A couple years back I was listening to the local Christian radio station. It was right around Mother's Day and they were airing a segment on the blessed Virgin Mary; really, one of the most interesting pieces I've ever heard on radio. These ideas I was hearing about Mother Mary may be commonplace to the Christians, but they really got me to thinking.

Of course Mary embodies the potential good in all mothers, but there was more to what I was hearing than just that. Sure we all associate the motherly traits of compassion and selflessness with Mother Mary. Born to be a vessel for birth, Mary gave up herself and her inherently selfish being for the mere existence of her offspring, as all mothers do, to varying degrees. The Mother Mary comforts, she loves, she is the figure of eternal hope and mercy, and she is mother to all. But Mary not only represents the ideal earthly mother that we are all born through, she also represents the mother that exists in each and every one of us, regardless of age, religion or gender.

On this Mother's Day, as we pay reverence to our mothers, wherever they may be, let's not forget our Mother Mary. Let's be sure to celebrate her very qualities that are in some way, within each and every one of us: the mother, the non-mother, the woman, the man, the child, the Christian and even the Agnostic.

The Utah Memoirs.

Little Cottonwood Canyon

Darren and I just returned from an amazing trip to Salt Lake City, Utah last week! The intent was to partake in some spring skiing, explore the area, and just take in the general vibe of the city. Well, I will start by saying that the attempt at skiing was pretty much a debacle. We had designated the first few days for exploration and to take care of some planned business. But with a forecast that predicted sunny and 60 for the duration of our trip...this would leave the latter half of the visit free and clear for the slopes! As it turned out, Mother Nature had other plans. With a last minute change of weather, we were left to deal with downpours of rain on our remaining ski days. And that is all I will say about that.

Utah is beautiful. The Wasatch Mountains are incredible. Unfortunately, I was hard-pressed to view them outside the context of an over-developed, over-populated Wasatch Front, which is literally busting at the seams and is now sprawling up many a mountainside. I have, in my naturalist mind, a hard time reconciling this. But get up in those mountains and you truly leave the world behind. The Cottonwood Canyons are awe-inspiring, and our many drives through them, are etched in my memory.

A delish plate of raw food at Omar's:
Curry Rice & Dandelion Greens Salad

As for the city itself, Salt Lake City and it's suburbs, are far-reaching, to say the least. It's breadth was wide beyond my expectations. The city itself is clean, and current with the times. The restaurants are great, if you can weed through the sea of chain venues. In fact, it seems Salt Lake City has a growing Vegan/Raw Food movement. We dined at Omar's Rawtopia (http://www.omarsrawtopia.com), in the south end of the city. A fabulous restaurant with delicious organic Raw Food options! I wish we had something like this in Connecticut.

Sugarpost! A Metal Art Studio we
discovered thanks to a Geocache
skillfully hidden in this gate

A light rail system and some interesting retail zones have convinced me that a good groundwork was set when this city was planned. Oh, and planned it was! Around a temple. A giant Mormon temple that sits on 10 prime acres, smack dab in the middle of the city. Literally. It certainly is an amazing piece of architecture, set in a gated square so full of fountains, sculptures and luscious garden beds, that it rivals the city squares of Europe. And as we learned from a local, the extensive street numbering system that is carried throughout all of Salt Lake City, is based on the streets' relationship to this temple (i.e. the streets are number based on how many blocks, north and south, they are from the temple at ground zero).

The Church may number the streets, but the State monopolizes the vistas. The Capitol sits high atop Capitol Hill, overlooking the downtown area in grand splendor. The main thoroughfares, wide enough to turn an ox-cart, have been laid out such that they each terminate with a magestic view of the Capitol. Quite beautiful, and quite a thing to discover over a few days' exploration.

Many mysteries and curiosities about Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Mountains were solved for me on our trip, although some remain. Like... Does the Great Salt Lake really stink? Why do all the Mormon women wear skirts in Temple Square? Is Utah powder really the greatest snow on Earth? I do not know. But I do know that Utah has not seen the last of me.

A Wedding Anniversary

Two years ago today, Darren and I stepped out into the cold Wyoming night and walked hand in hand across the Jackson Town Square to be married beneath a starlit sky.

Simply enchanting.

On this day, we are celebrating our anniversary on the east coast. We are skiing in Vermont. As I look out our icicle framed window and watch the snow slowly fall, I am transported back in time to Wyoming. It feels so much like the time of our wedding, at moments I am actually convinced we are 2,000 miles away! I have concluded that it is not merely a trickery of ice, snow and a ski gear littered hotel room that create this illusion. Rather, it is a trickery of the heart. The way my heart flutters when I see him, how we giggle like kids at the silliest of things, and how we love each other... just as we did two years ago. This is enough to transport me back to a different time and place.

It is crazy how much has changed in our lives since that magical evening on Jackson Town Square.

Even crazier is just how much has managed to stay the same.

A Most Delicious Cous Cous Salad!

I scour the internet constantly for new healthy eating ideas. And the iPad is the perfect tool for this job! I have been faithfully using the Meal Planner app since i got my iPad in December. This app is a do-it-all meal companion. Not only does it archive and organize my own recipes, but it also has an interface that will download recipes directly from several culinary and healthy eating websites. Did I mention the app also has a monthly meal planning feature, and a grocery list database that is linked to both your recipes and your meal plan? Seriously powerful. It has a couple kinks, but I email the developer, Alan, pretty religiously. I like to think he appreciates my feedback....but that, of course, is another story.

Typically, the recipes I conjur up are some incarnation of beans and rice (we vegetarians have to get our complete proteins wherever we can!). However, a quick look-see through the Whole Foods recipes (via the Meal Planner app) turned up something rather interesting: a Cous Cous & Nectarine salad! Today, I tried my hand at my own version of this salad, and I was blown away. The salad is a combination of cold and hot ingredients, which I love. The watercress is slightly wilted by the introduction of the hot cous cous. And those crunchy, buttery pistachios....divine! I made a few modifications to the original recipe I downloaded from the Whole Foods website, and herewith I share with you my version of the most delicious salad I've tasted in a long time:

3/4 cup Cous Cous, Whole Wheat
1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Nectarines, diced
1 bunch Watercress ... Stems and all, chopped
1 cup pistachios
1/4 cup Onion, finely diced
S&P

Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in cous cous, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil until dressing thickens. Add couscous, nectarines, watercress, pistachios and onion to bowl and toss to combine. Serve warm.

Nutritional Info
Makes 4 servings
Per serving: 300 calories (130 from fat), 15g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 160mg sodium, 51g total carbohydrate (9g dietary fiber, 8g sugar), 12g protein