I have written before about the benefits of using an alternate form of milk (coconut, almond, soy), rather than animal milk. I hear camel milk is ridiculously healthy for you - but, I don't believe it's legal to sell, so you have to visit a camel farm to try that (thanks for the info, Dirty Jobs!)
I went on and on, in this blog, about coconut milk. I was excited to use it, and it IS good for you, but if I'm being honest...I didn't like it much. It works well in recipes, but a glass of coconut milk is really an acquired taste. I was plenty okay, but a glass of plain coconut milk has a pretty odd taste. I never did get used to it.
Got some Silk PureAlmond almond milk tonight. I got the original and I got the dark chocolate. I'll get the dark chocolate out of the way - it's absolutely amazing. Thick and dark and sweet. I couldn't tell one bit that it wasn't regular milk. Of course, the chocolate milk will only be had in moderation, when I'm just aching for something sweet. The "original" milk also has a bit of sugar in it. It isn't a ton of sugar (evaporated cane sugar, by the way), but it's there. I'm looking forward to finding the unsweetened version at Whole Foods the next time we head that way.
The moral of the story is, TRY ALMOND MILK. You can also make your own almond milk at home, really easily, and I have to look into that soon.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
All I could think last night, as the clock struck midnight, was, "Wow, so this is what it's like not to cry and be depressed on New Years!"
Every year, I have the same reaction to New Years' Eve. I cry, I mope, I'm depressed and I feel guilty. I don't honestly know if I've ever actually made a New Years' resolution to lose weight. I wouldn't have bothered, because announcing your intentions only to forget you did so the next day...well, there's nothing impressive about that. I know for sure that I've never made a resolution to be more positive. I wouldn't even have thought to do that. I was pretty comfortable in my negativity - it felt like home. And, that's so sad.
This year, though, I had no tears. I am officially down 15 pounds since I started this blog. I have comfortably adjusted into this diet. I started out a bit too severe, making myself kind of sick, and slowly and thoughtfully opened myself up to more food options, rounding things out a bit better. I still eat very, very minimal processed foods and no red meat. We've been eating a lot of fish. I make sure I eat tons of veggies, and I keep my sodium low. I think I was actually keeping it too low, as I wasn't eating much sodium at all, so I make sure to get enough to stay healthy. The body does need salt, after all. I drink a lot more water, especially when I feel hungry, and I don't drink milk or eat cheese. I think I've eaten a few pieces of potato here and there, but overall, no simple starches.
I have also discovered a love for butternut squash. Who knew? I should say that I loathe squash. I still dislike regular squash - I find it slimy and bland. I can't get over the texture. Same reason I seriously dislike eggplant. I had had butternut squash on several occasions, but I could never get into it.. I always had the requisite dollop on Thanksgiving, but I hated every bite.
This Thanksgiving, however, my boyfriend and I were invited to a new friend's home, to enjoy the holiday (and the food!) with her and her family. Keely is a new friend, but we meshed immediately, and I can't say enough amazing things about her (and, her gorgeous family). Anyhow! Keely made butternut squash. When I saw it cooking on the stove, I balked. I wasn't rude and I didn't say anything, but I wasn't super excited about it. But, requisite dollop, right?
Keely made the squash differently, though. I don't know exactly what went into it, but I'd venture not much. It was simply pureed and retained all of it's flavor and texture. Where I've had sugar on top or had the squash be completely obliterated by creams or oils...this squash was simple and stood on it's own. My tiny dollop of squash was quickly finished and replaced with a decent sized pile, while my typical lover, mashed potatoes, mostly went ignored in favor of the fresher and brighter tasting squash.
I have loved it, ever since. I sincerely have her to thank, because butternut squash is very, very good for me. My boyfriend made some last night, and I thought of Keely.
Thanks, Keely :) You took a veggie in my "Hate" list and moved it right over to "Love" for me. That's not easy - I tend to stick to my food preferences and dislikes. The veggie kingdom has burst into song and ushered me lovingly into Squashland. Thank you.
Now, what can you do with celery?
Every year, I have the same reaction to New Years' Eve. I cry, I mope, I'm depressed and I feel guilty. I don't honestly know if I've ever actually made a New Years' resolution to lose weight. I wouldn't have bothered, because announcing your intentions only to forget you did so the next day...well, there's nothing impressive about that. I know for sure that I've never made a resolution to be more positive. I wouldn't even have thought to do that. I was pretty comfortable in my negativity - it felt like home. And, that's so sad.
This year, though, I had no tears. I am officially down 15 pounds since I started this blog. I have comfortably adjusted into this diet. I started out a bit too severe, making myself kind of sick, and slowly and thoughtfully opened myself up to more food options, rounding things out a bit better. I still eat very, very minimal processed foods and no red meat. We've been eating a lot of fish. I make sure I eat tons of veggies, and I keep my sodium low. I think I was actually keeping it too low, as I wasn't eating much sodium at all, so I make sure to get enough to stay healthy. The body does need salt, after all. I drink a lot more water, especially when I feel hungry, and I don't drink milk or eat cheese. I think I've eaten a few pieces of potato here and there, but overall, no simple starches.
I have also discovered a love for butternut squash. Who knew? I should say that I loathe squash. I still dislike regular squash - I find it slimy and bland. I can't get over the texture. Same reason I seriously dislike eggplant. I had had butternut squash on several occasions, but I could never get into it.. I always had the requisite dollop on Thanksgiving, but I hated every bite.
This Thanksgiving, however, my boyfriend and I were invited to a new friend's home, to enjoy the holiday (and the food!) with her and her family. Keely is a new friend, but we meshed immediately, and I can't say enough amazing things about her (and, her gorgeous family). Anyhow! Keely made butternut squash. When I saw it cooking on the stove, I balked. I wasn't rude and I didn't say anything, but I wasn't super excited about it. But, requisite dollop, right?
Keely made the squash differently, though. I don't know exactly what went into it, but I'd venture not much. It was simply pureed and retained all of it's flavor and texture. Where I've had sugar on top or had the squash be completely obliterated by creams or oils...this squash was simple and stood on it's own. My tiny dollop of squash was quickly finished and replaced with a decent sized pile, while my typical lover, mashed potatoes, mostly went ignored in favor of the fresher and brighter tasting squash.
I have loved it, ever since. I sincerely have her to thank, because butternut squash is very, very good for me. My boyfriend made some last night, and I thought of Keely.
Thanks, Keely :) You took a veggie in my "Hate" list and moved it right over to "Love" for me. That's not easy - I tend to stick to my food preferences and dislikes. The veggie kingdom has burst into song and ushered me lovingly into Squashland. Thank you.
Now, what can you do with celery?
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