Vegan Dinner from Appetite for Reduction

Post Punk Kitchen

I feel like this is kind of cheating, but this was such a yummy meal from this amazing cookbook that I own called Appetite for Reduction by Isa Chandra Moskowitz that I had to post it.

I made the Butternut Coconut Rice (pages 80 - 81), Pineapple Collards (page 93) and Broiled Blackened Tofu (pages 147 - 148). All of it was really yummy, even though I messed up the rice. It's hard to cook while two people are washing dishes, there's a big dog that keeps tripping you and two little girls running around, screaming, and playing with paint. It's always craziness here at the house.

Why Water Is Important and How I'm Making Sure to Get Enough

I’m in the process of making a lot of changes, so in order not to overwhelm myself I’ve decided to take small steps when it comes to my poor eating habits. After all, I want this to be a life lasting change.

I’m not going to weigh myself, measure myself or stress out over losing weight. This isn’t about losing weight (although I wouldn’t mind).

I’m simply going to start taking better care of myself. Making sure to eat food that is good for me, that energizes me and nourishes me. I know I need to cut back on eating junk food, to stop eating out and to start moving more.

In order to keep strong and motivated I have to remind myself that the beauty of being human is that we can change the way we live at any time. We just need to stop procrastinating and do it.

Drink More Water

The first step to becoming healthier is probably the most important one, and the easiest; drink more water.

Of course I know how important water is for my health. Doesn’t every body? But like a lot of other people I know for a fact that I don’t drink enough. And as part of my whole fixing my life thing I figured health is a big part of that.

We all know water is vital to our health, but sometimes it helps to stop for a minute and remind ourselves why.

Why Water is Awesome

• It carries nutrients throughout the body, and flushes out toxins.
• It helps with digestion and keeps you “regular.”
• By drinking more water you’re guaranteed to cut back on unhealthy drinks like pop, energy drinks, coffee, alcohol and juice.
• You save money by drinking more water instead of other drinks.
• It has no calories and acts as a food suppressant by making you feel fuller.
• It increases your energy, makes you more alert and helps you focus easier by hydrating your brain.
• It’s the best anti-aging solution because it helps your skin stay soft and supple, helps clear up acne and gives you a healthy glow.
• It helps get rid of headaches, again with the hydrating the brain! 
• It lubricates your joints and helps keep muscles more elastic decreasing the risk of cramps and sprains.

Tips For Getting Enough Water 

I don’t know about you, but I know that I often don’t drink water because it’s not easily available like a can of coke or juice box. Especially when the dishes are dirty, and you’re too lazy to wash a glass out (does this happen to anyone else? Or am I just a slob?). Well, like with anything else, drinking water is a habit that can be formed. You just need to know what will work for your. 

• Some people prefer buying bottled water because then it’s easily accessible. But I know that bottled water isn’t so great for the environment and I like to try to do my small parts. That’s why I bought a water bottle from the dollar store. I keep it close by and I know that if I drink a full bottle two times throughout the day then I have managed to get enough water.
• Or there are times when I want something with a little flavour. Water can be pretty bland at times. Making your own flavoured water is easy, yummy and can be fun, too. You can add lemon, lime, cucumbers, berries, mint leaves, green tea bag, watermelon or anything else that sounds good to you. My favourite mixes are green tea with lemon, or cucumber and lime. If you really want to have juice, dilute it with water. 
• When we had a water cooler in the kitchen I noticed I was always drinking water. Since we don’t have one any more we keep a jug in the fridge because cold water is just more refreshing compared to right out of the tap. You can by filters, spring water or whichever you like if that’s your thing. Personally I don’t mind tap water.
• Always have a glass of water with your meals. I used to always have a diet coke with my dinner, even though I know that coke (especially diet coke) is not good for you. Now I make sure to have water. I even put the water jug on the table for easy refills.

Currently I’m not drinking enough water. Well, actually I’ve done pretty good over the weekend, but it’s not a habit yet. These are just some tips that I’ve noticed are working for me so far.

It’s crazy how something like getting enough water can feel like such a big ordeal. You’d think it would just be second nature already. Ah well, better late than never, right?

So, do you feel you get enough water? And what tips do you have for drinking more water?

Thanks,

Delicious Stew Recipe from "Vegan Lunch Box"

Healthy Simple Recipe For Vegan Stew

One of my favourite vegan fall dishes is from the awesome book Vegan Lunch Boxes: Around the World by Jennifer McCann. I call it butternut squash stew, and changed a few of the ingredients around to my liking, but this is what Jennifer McCann calls it and her recipe:

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"Moroccan Tangine

Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, peeled, halved, and cut into half-rings
• 1/2 medium yellow, orange and red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 6 to 7 cups)
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, then cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1/2 golden or regular raisins
• Salt, to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. Measure out all the spices into one small dish and set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and translucent, about 7 minutes (adjust the heat as needed to keep them from browning). Add the bell peppers and all the spices and cook, stirring, for another minute.
3. Add the diced tomatoes with all their juices, the butternut squash and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and summer, covered, for 20 minutes or until squash is almost tender.
4. Add the chickpeas, zucchini, and raisins and continue to simmer, covered, for another 10 minutes, or until squash is tender. Season with salt. Garnish each serving with parsley just before serving." - Taken from pages 97 - 98 from Vegan Lunch Box Around the World by Jennifer McCann.

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Now, I love this recipe just as it is! However, one day I decided to play around and added diced potatoes and carrots, putting them in when the squash goes in. I also took out the peppers because I like peppers fresh, not cooked, but that's just my preference.

In the book, McCann suggests serving it over couscous or quinoa. I also enjoy it over basmati rice.

I've served this particular meal to plenty of my friends and family and so far only my mom didn't like it, but she's pretty picky when it comes to food.

So, there it is! My favourite fall dish. And surprisingly easy to make! It seems like it would be a lot of work because of the lengthy ingredient list, but it's mostly spices, a few cans and then only a few vegetables that need to be prepared. Best part is, this makes a huge amount and can be freezed for a future meal!

Thanks, 

You can find Jennifer McCann's blog Vegan Lunch Box HERE!!

Anxiety And Lightening The Load

I've started blogging at a time in my life where I just feel like everything I want, all of my goals, are not yet accomplished. I'm not already successful. I haven't lost a large amount of weight already, and become a much healthier, fitter person. I haven't graduated college and landed my dream job. I'm not married with a beautiful house. I don't have any great tips and tricks to share with the world on how to be the best person you can be.

I'm just a 22 year old woman, living a simple life full of hopes and dreams and I am no where near successful. I have a 5 year old daughter. We live at my parents' house. I haven't even been able to find a part-time job making minimum wage yet. And even though I have a very clear picture in my head of what I want in life I am no where there. I was once pretty close to that goal, but in the past year I've fallen, and I've fallen far. 

I'm at a point in my life where I'm only a few more steps to rock bottom, but I don't mind because I just keep looking up and trying to be grateful for all the things I have. 

Yes, I struggle every day with different choices. I question myself constantly on how I got to this point and how do I get back up? What's my next move? 

And while I push all of these goals on myself, my shoulders get heavier and heavier. I think it might be time to lighten the load.

Because my anxiety is through the roof. My chest hurts every day. I get migraines on a daily basis, popping Advil like Tictacs. I chew on my bottom lip, bite my nails and worry and worry and worry. My energy is completely drained, and everything seems like too much work. 

Well, like I said, it's time to lighten the load. Yes, I have a lot of goals, but do all of them need to be accomplished at once? No, so I should try not to worry about it so much. I can tell myself this all I want, but will I ever learn? Will I ever take my own advice? Doubtfully. 

However, thanks to the internet there are so many resources to help me. Blogs, articles, forums. One of my favourite blogs to read right now is Zen Habits written by Leo Babauta. Leo Babauta talks about motivation, goals, health and fitness, family, simplicity, frugality, inspiration and living in the moment. It's a really great blog, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks,

Fitness Fridays

As a mother, or a parent really, I think that my health is extremely important for several reasons. 

• I want to set a good example.
• I want to be able to keep up with Sid.
• I want to be alive and well for a long time to be with Sid.
• I want to have enough energy to get everything done.
• I want to feel good about myself.

 

My Weight Struggles

Well, here is the problem; I have allowed myself to gain weight and get out of shape (again). Like a lot of people I struggle with my weight. Well, the weight really is not an issue for me, it’s the way I feel and lately I feel like CRAP! 

I’ve been eating junk, I haven’t been exercising and I’ve even been slacking on personal hygiene. I’m not sure why, or how this happened all I know is that I need to switch things around and get back to where I was over a year ago. 

I used to workout multiple times a week; jogging, yoga, aerobics DVDs, lifting weights and a lot of walking, walking every where! 

I ate healthy; on schedule, tons of fruits and vegetables, mostly vegan foods, whole wheat everything and barely ever ate out. 

After I had Sidney I went all out and completely changed my lifestyle. It was hard work, I had never lost weight in a healthy way before. I had to learn everything, because I didn’t know anything about being healthy! It was a great experience and I loved how I felt. Now it’s time to get that  back.

The Obstacles

Clearly things need to change in my life if I want to be healthy, energetic and a good example for Sidney. My problem is I often get overwhelmed when I try to change things too quickly. I get so worked up and thinking, “Why bother, I know I’m just going to fail again?” that lately I don’t even want to try! 

I’m also kind of scared that I am so out of shape that if I start working out I’ll hurt myself. Which is possible. I hurt something in my side when I leaned over to talk to Sidney last week… 

Well, if you read my Monday post, you’d know I’m following The Magic which is all about gratitude and positive thinking. I feel that with The Magic, I can conquer these feelings of failure and work towards a healthy lifestyle again. It will be hard, I have a lot of bad habits I need to switch around, but I know I can do it. I did it before, I can do it again. 

My one and only obstacle is my mindset. Once I overcome that I can do anything.

The Changes

I’m going to have to take baby steps if I want this to work. My eating habits have gotten so out of control I don’t really know where to start first. My exercise routine (or extreme lack of) will need work, too. 

So, I’ve decided that each week I will work on one goal, one switcheroo for both eating habits, and exercise habits. And hopefully by next Friday that will be better and I can move onto another one, but if not there’s no shame in continuing to work on it for another week (or two?).

This week I want to eat healthier breakfasts. My usual breakfasts lately consist of coffee… and sometimes pop tarts, but usually I don’t remember to eat until noon.

Healthy breakfast options:

• Oatmeal with fruit and almonds
• Smoothies
• Yogurt with granola and berries
• One egg omelette with veggies OR
• Scrambled tofu (if I can get Nick to make it for me)
• Whole wheat toast with peanut butter and grapefruit
• Cottage cheese with fruit
• Home-made whole wheat muffins

Now, as I said above, I’m terrified of hurting myself due to being extremely out of shape and not exercising for months. I want to start going for walks at least three times a week, and do some simple stretching in the mornings. 

Well, I guess that's it for now. I'll update on my progress next Friday. 

What are some of your healthy tips? Favourite health/fitness blog?

Thanks,