Kiss The Fiddler

Ramblings, moments of humor, random thoughts, experiences, insights, simple wisdom, and whatever else I feel like sharing.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Nutrition Confusion

Nutrition is so hard for me. Having been quite anorexic in the past, I seem to have lost my internal guide to what my body needs to be healthy. I find that I have no idea what constitutes a good meal - cookies with peanut butter and coffee for breakfast - pears and cheese and soda for lunch - bars and green beans for snacks - doritos and beer for dinner? I know that people prepare meals and then sit down and enjoy them. Some people even enjoy cooking. I do not. When I cook, I do it out of necessity and it ends up tasting that way. I want to teach my child healthy eating habits but honestly, I have no idea what healthy eating looks like.

I'm a big girl. I am trying to lose weight. So why do I eat cookies for breakfast? Because I HAVE to have them! And because I forgot to buy milk and bread for cereal or toast. Yesterday my sister said that she wondered if I am not eating enough to lose weight. What? That makes no sense whatsoever to me. Hmmmm. . .

My mother was here a coupla weeks ago. While she was here, she cooked. She cooked real meals! They were delicious! I ate them and loved them! I remember thinking at the time that I was eating way too much. There was an entree, lots of veggies, and I don't know what else. I want to be able to replicate meals like that but I can't seem to make my mind wrap around it. I feel as a loss.

So, I'll ask for your help. I'm a vegetarian. I do eat dairy and eggs although I don't like eggs all that much. When you post a comment, if you have the time and energy, share a complete meal idea with me. Thank you!

8 comments:

Deidre said...

hmmm...I dont no many veggie meals, but I can give you a few good suggestions.

You NEED at least 1600 calories a day. Protien is essential to weight loss. WATER WATER WATER!!!

Now, just b/c I know these rules doesnt mean I apply them...lol.

If you want me to, I can email you a couple of recipes that you can modify if you want.

Unknown said...

I'd welcome recipes. Thank you!

h

Larkin Kavanaugh said...

chic peas cooked in veggie chix seasoning and herbed dumpling. serve with broc on side. yummy yummy and has all the components a meal needs as long as you broc portion is not too small. i like mine with chix but you can leave that out.

open as many cans of chic peas as you want. rinse and dump into pot. add H2O to cover garbanzos. season to taste with chix seasoning and pepper. i like msg free mckays or beter than broth. both are good. bring to simmer. drop in dumpling and cook covered for 15 min.

dumpling recipe
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup milk

In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, thyme, parsley, and oregano. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add milk, using just enough to form a thick batter.
Drop by rounded tablespoons into your simmering soup or stew, cover, and allow to cook 15 minutes.

careful to not over mix dumplings. also good with cheddar or other melting cheese added. i bet you can get pretty good biscuit dough at the good food store and just drop it in if you don't want to bother with making them yourself.

this is comfort food. soooooo yummy!

Benny's Blog said...

another approach might be to eat 5 small balanced snacks a day...fruit and cheese, yogurt, hummus and pita, bread and pb, cereal and fruit, oatmeal and milk, stir fry some veggies and pasta...and just not get too concerned about 3 or 4 item "balanced meals" .

Phoenix Rising said...

Hey There, This is sooooo my problem too (not being aneroxic, but the troubles with weight)!!!! My approach has been to think of food as art. Therefore to have a complete "picture" I must have lots of different colors along with a complete protein and veggies.

If you have a crockpot great! If you don't have a crockpot you need to invest in one. Crockpots are so helpful to those of us that are sick of food nigh unto not cooking it.

For breakfast:

The night before, take three cups of three different whole grains (I like millet, rye flakes and rolled oats) and put them in the crockpot with nine cups of water and 1-2 tsp. of salt (more salt if you are into that). Start out on high and then put to low before you go to bed. In the morning you will have breakfast all ready. Top with various raw nuts, cranraisins (I like mine sweetened with juice not sugar) and shredded coconut (if you like that sort of thing). I put soymilk on mine as I am not into dairy milk.

For Lunch or Supper:

Three cups of whatever type of bean you like or a conbination of types, plus nine cups of water. Cut up a whole onion and 3-4 cloves of garlic and add it to the beans. Put it on high and let cook for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hrs (but turn it down to low after the first 12 hours). Add 1-2 tsp. salt at the very end and whatever other spices you like (I like cumin in my pinto beans). Serve with salsa, salad, rice, olives, avocadoes, cheese......

Another thing to think about is that you may not be getting all of the essential amino acids you need along with essential vitamins and minerals. Nursing can do a number on you! There is a book called, "The Diet Cure". It is by Julia Ross and is very interesting. Starting in May I started taking some of the supplements that she suggested and I do not carve "bad" carbs anymore. For me, I think that I deal with low levels of seratonin and dopamin. I have been taking something called L-tyrosine and the difference is amazing.

A doctor I know has this saying, "Biology drives behavior". I think this is true and many things that society makes a moral issue out of are just chemical responses that our bodies have and when our bodies are recieving the correct building blocks, then the true problems are being addressed and self-control and will power can come into play.

Sorry to go on and on and on about this, but here is another book that I think you might enjoy is "The Four Day Win" by Martha Beck. She is brilliant and funny at the same time. Cheers!

Amy W.

Anonymous said...

Mom can actually give you a lot of recipes; she raised us vegetarian! - Kapila

Deidre said...

Here is a good and easy one!

Meatless chimichangas

8 large chimichanges
1 can of black beans
1 can of pinto beans
1 can of red kidney beans
1 can of fat free refried beans
1 jalapeno pepper
1tbsp season all
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp of salt
1 cup of low fat shredded cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Drain all the cans of beans
3. Finely chop the jalapeno
4. Add all ingredients except the tortillas and cheese into a large pot. Cook on medium for 15 minutes. Stir in cheese and remove from heat.
5. Scoop a ladle full of mixture and place in the center of each tortilla and fold.
6. Bake for 15 more minutes.
7. ENJOY!!!

c1ndy said...

Mat is vegetarian so we eat loads of vegetarian food. A Ragu is a really easy sauce that you can use for pasta. I would cook this much for 4 of us.

1 onion
1 clove garlic
2 tins tomatoes
pinch sugar
pepper
(and most people would add salt but I don't because of the girls)

Fry the onion until soft, add the garlic for a minute then put the tomatoes in and simmer for about 30 minutes until it is thick. Mix it up with cooked pasta, I use wholwheat pasta as it has less rubbish in it.

You can throw anything in- basil, mushrooms, olives, peppers and if you want to make Spagetti Bolognaise then add some soya mince with the onions.

Roasted vegetables are another favourite. Get a really good olive oil then cut up vegetables, brush them in oil and roat for about an hour. East with crusty bread.

I would use Onions, garlic, aubergine, courgette, tomatoes, peppers, anything in season.

Again you should really add salt but I don't.

I'll look for some vege links for you.

GL! Cindy