Well, I have started making myself fruit smoothies every morning, because according to Dr. McKeith, fruit should be eaten 30 minutes before any other food group (carbohydrates, proteins, vegetables). She suggests that breakfast is the perfect time to eat fruit because your stomach is empty. This is one part of her section on "Food Combining." Dr. McKeith says that if you eat the wrong food groups together then you are "mak[ing] complete digestion impossible...prevent[ing] nutrient uptake and risk a host of ills" (pg. 78). This is because certain foods digest at different speeds and required different enzymes to break them down.
Thus, my fruit smoothie for breakfast. Not to mention, fruit smoothies are delicious! I purchased a new blender at the beginning of the semester just so I could start making those healthy treats. Smoothies are great for students and other people who rush out the door in the mornings. A lot of people do not eat breakfast believing they either lack the time or that not eating will help them lose weight. These beliefs are both wrong! 1) Smoothies are quick (especially if you decide the night before what kind of smoothie you want and prepare all the ingredients then) because you add your ingredients, hit a button and pour it into your glass. 2) Eating breakfast actually jump starts your metabolism and gets it going for the rest of the day.
I even have a trendy, cold-beverage Starbucks glass that has a twist-on lid and straw (Shout out to Mrs. VT for the glass!) that is perfect for taking my smoothies with me on-the-go. It has become my ideal morning to pour a smoothie into my glass and take it to class with me.
I have tried a couple different fruit combinations so far, but my favorite is what I'm calling "Banaberry." It's totally delicious! Trust me.
In your blender combine:
1-2 Bananas
1/2 carton (about 3 oz.) raspberries
A handful (or two) of baby spinach
Orange juice (the more you add, the more liquidy {I just made that a word} your smoothie will be)
Blend/liquify/puree (depending on your blender buttons) to your heart's contentment! I think I may have added 1/2 an apple as well. Consider it an optional ingredient. Enjoy!
Bonus: the Spinach is well masked by the sweetness of the bananas and raspberries so this is a good way to get your spinach-haters to eat that nutritious leafy green.
Deuces.
*I feel it is necessary to say that I am in no way legally connected with Dr. McKeith or her book. I am merely a reader of You Are What You Eat who has decided to blog about personal experiences relating to the book.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
"You Are What You Eat"
Over Christmas break, my friend Jessica and I were talking about healthy eating, so she gave me Dr. Gillian McKeith's book, You Are What You Eat. I'm about three chapters in, and so far it's really exciting, scary, disappointing and interesting...all at the same time.
Dr. McKeith talks about what foods are good for you to eat "in abundance" and which foods will most certainly lead to your imminent death (okay, maybe I was being a little dramatic). I have discovered that a lot of the foods that I eat regularly are on the "imminent death" list which is really depressing since I LOVE those foods.
Dr. McKeith swears though that if you follow her food diet (for the most part) that "you will feel stronger, sexier, more energized and happier" (pg. 82) in addition to losing weight and lowering your risk of many diseases and everyday ailments.
I am trying not to get too hyped up about her diet because I don't want to join a cult diet group, but from what I have read so far her methods looks promising. Also, she is looking at our moods and bodies from a purely secular viewpoint (not a Christian). It is important to remember that while she promises happiness and health, the Great Healer (God) is the one we need to turn to in times of disease and trials (depression, anxiety, etc.) There is no substitute for God. It makes perfect sense though that God provides nutrition in our foods that help keep us healthy. After all, in Genesis, He told Adam and Eve to eat of all the fruit in the Garden of Eden (except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil). God intended for the first couple and their posterity to live off the fruits of the land which He had created and were good. After sin entered the world, things changed in the Garden.
I am excited to try Dr. McKeith's diet. I do believe that there are many diets, nutritional plans and other methods that will help you lose weight and feel better, so I plan on combining some strategies I have learned elsewhere with Dr. McKeith's diet and see what happens.
My plan is to start blogging about my experiences and ideas based on this new diet kick in addition to my normal blog posts.
Here we go!
This morning I am drinking a smoothie drink that I made by combining frozen berries, chamomile tea and Valerian root in the blender. Dr. McKeith says that fresh is the way to go, but I already had the frozen fruit ;) Also, chamomile tea and most berries are on "The Abundant Food List" (pgs. 82-84) so I feel alright about my choice.
Deuces.
Dr. McKeith talks about what foods are good for you to eat "in abundance" and which foods will most certainly lead to your imminent death (okay, maybe I was being a little dramatic). I have discovered that a lot of the foods that I eat regularly are on the "imminent death" list which is really depressing since I LOVE those foods.
Dr. McKeith swears though that if you follow her food diet (for the most part) that "you will feel stronger, sexier, more energized and happier" (pg. 82) in addition to losing weight and lowering your risk of many diseases and everyday ailments.
I am trying not to get too hyped up about her diet because I don't want to join a cult diet group, but from what I have read so far her methods looks promising. Also, she is looking at our moods and bodies from a purely secular viewpoint (not a Christian). It is important to remember that while she promises happiness and health, the Great Healer (God) is the one we need to turn to in times of disease and trials (depression, anxiety, etc.) There is no substitute for God. It makes perfect sense though that God provides nutrition in our foods that help keep us healthy. After all, in Genesis, He told Adam and Eve to eat of all the fruit in the Garden of Eden (except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil). God intended for the first couple and their posterity to live off the fruits of the land which He had created and were good. After sin entered the world, things changed in the Garden.
I am excited to try Dr. McKeith's diet. I do believe that there are many diets, nutritional plans and other methods that will help you lose weight and feel better, so I plan on combining some strategies I have learned elsewhere with Dr. McKeith's diet and see what happens.
My plan is to start blogging about my experiences and ideas based on this new diet kick in addition to my normal blog posts.
Here we go!
This morning I am drinking a smoothie drink that I made by combining frozen berries, chamomile tea and Valerian root in the blender. Dr. McKeith says that fresh is the way to go, but I already had the frozen fruit ;) Also, chamomile tea and most berries are on "The Abundant Food List" (pgs. 82-84) so I feel alright about my choice.
Deuces.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
New Year!
Howdy all!
It's the new year: 2012!
Some many wonderful things are going to happen this year. Trust me, I know. One of which is I am going to graduate college with my Bachelor of Fine Art degree! I might even be able to apply for graduate schools--the ones that have spring admission, that is.
I was really sad to find out that one of my professors passed away right before the new year. Phil Dunham was an amazing professor and a beautiful man. He always had something to say and was always encouraging. The way he looked at life was inspiring. He was a life-ling learner, which was so enjoyable to see. He always seemed to pursue new knowledge in order to express it through art. His big smile, typing in all capital letters, and laughter will be really missed at UMHB. We love you, Phil! UMHB won't be the same without you.
In other news, I find out when my senior exhibition opens on Tuesday! I am totally excited, but nervous because I have a lot to do before then...like at least 2.5 more paintings (I only did 2 last semester. oops). I'll try to post pictures soon. Check out my art website too to see my work: Ellen Buhrow Artworks
Deuces.
It's the new year: 2012!
Some many wonderful things are going to happen this year. Trust me, I know. One of which is I am going to graduate college with my Bachelor of Fine Art degree! I might even be able to apply for graduate schools--the ones that have spring admission, that is.
I was really sad to find out that one of my professors passed away right before the new year. Phil Dunham was an amazing professor and a beautiful man. He always had something to say and was always encouraging. The way he looked at life was inspiring. He was a life-ling learner, which was so enjoyable to see. He always seemed to pursue new knowledge in order to express it through art. His big smile, typing in all capital letters, and laughter will be really missed at UMHB. We love you, Phil! UMHB won't be the same without you.
In other news, I find out when my senior exhibition opens on Tuesday! I am totally excited, but nervous because I have a lot to do before then...like at least 2.5 more paintings (I only did 2 last semester. oops). I'll try to post pictures soon. Check out my art website too to see my work: Ellen Buhrow Artworks
Deuces.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)