"If you're waiting for a sign...here it is!"

Good afternoon!

I hope you all enjoyed the last post and maybe thought about trying the buffalo chicken mac-n-cheese.  I was totally bummed today to see that, somehow, the hubby was able to heist the last container of leftovers.  I had been impatiently waiting for lunch time, only to be disappointed.  However- the disappointment didn't last long.

Whenever people see my progress pictures or photos of my food, it usually follows with- "I wish I could do that.  I just don't have time..." For those of you who follow my Instagram (MrsGates21) you may have noticed that the last few tag lines have been something like, "Dinner in 15 minutes? Sure thing!"  I wanted to make a point.  NEWFLASH:  Cooking healthy may take a little creativity but it certainly doesn't have to take hours.  I also firmly believe in repurposing left overs. I figured today I would post my lunch masterpiece as an example.  If you are looking for a sign to begin a healthier lifestyle, or maybe just expose you and your family to new, interesting, and healthier foods- here it is!

What you see in that beautiful photo is a artichoke and quinoa salad (leftovers that needed to be used) topped with half of a fresh avocado and 1/4 c. of cottage cheese.  I drizzled some siracha on top.  If you haven't tried siracha yet, but love spicy food- get on it!  It is a red chile based hot sauce and packs a terrific punch.  I also put some mini bell peppers with a tbl of Sabra! Supremely Spicy Hummus on the side.  This plate is full of nutrition and a secret weapon to keep in your back pocket when living a healthy lifestyle.   So you may be wondering what is this secret weapon.  Don't you worry!  I will fill you in.  The secret is too good (for you) to keep.

There is a genus of pepper plants known as capsicum.  If you commonly cook with cayenne pepper, you have been using this already.  If you use bell peppers in your cooking... you have been using this already.  Capsicum peppers help with just about everything as far as healthy living goes.  They are known to be excellent supporters of the digestive system.  Believe it or not, eating more of the capsicum peppers can help heal ulcers from the inside out.  It helps rid the body of toxins.  It helps to correct circulation problems.  It has been known to help with issues with the kidneys, arthritis, thyroid dysfunction, and even respiratory issues.  Beyond all that, it is also a nutrient rich food that packs in tons of Vitamin C and carotenoids.  Carotenoids are known to protect the body from the spread of cancer or other harmful toxins.  The list goes on and on, but you get the point.  The food we eat, has everything to do with how we feel.  It's that simple.

So, do your research and figure out how you can best feed your body.  If that doesn't motivate you, look around yourself and challenge yourself to inspire and feed your friends and family members with the best possible foods for them.  After all, if we can prevent illness through nutrition, why don't we?  If we can eat our vitamins and nutrients, why do we need to rely upon quick fix pharmacy trips.

You are what you eat, my friends- Healthy or unhealthy, we make the choices.

C.

You are What you Eat!

"Let food by they medicine, and medicine be thy food." - Hippocrates

Hello again, old friends! 

I have been actively enjoying my summer vacation and believe me, the memories made are plentiful.  After spending over a week with my parents down in Florida and getting to visit my relatives in Illinois and friends in Minnesota I was both sad to leave, but refreshed upon arriving back in North Dakota.   

This week back home has been comforting.  It was great to be back in my kitchen and sleeping in my own bed.  I decided that upon arriving back home, I would stick to a clean and gluten free diet very strictly this week.  Usually I have a cheat meal or indulge about once a week, but I have realized that the longer I have cut out or cut down on gluten, the harder my body is hit when I do indulge.  I'm starting to realize that my body doesn't like it, and it's not worth it.  Now, if you follow me on Instagram (MrsGates21), you know that when I cook at home, that is generally how I operate anyways, but after a long vacation, my body needed a careful detox.  Most of what I indulged in on vacation was still aligned with my lifestyle, but there were a few slip ups and plenty of beer consumed.  Oh by the way, beer is pretty much gluten water.  I came back from vacation only about a pound heavier than when I left, but felt bloated, tired, and sluggish.  Thankfully, we were very active during our trip with kayaking, walking, running, paddle boarding, and deep sea fishing (yes, that is activity too!).  After six days of clean eating, exercise and no gluten (minus a bite of the hubby's toast), I have lost 1.8 pounds.  That struck me.  1.8 pounds after changing close to NOTHING.  I never knew that gluten impacted me in such a way.  I can live without beer.  I can live without gluten.   Believe me...I do miss bread every now and then.  Especially very dense, whole grain breads.  I am now on the prowl to find the best gluten free bread that I can eat to help during those cravings.  If you know of any you like, please comment and let me know!  

Nutrition is so interesting to me.  Hence why I find myself watching food documentaries and reading endless amount of information relating to how the food we eat impacts our bodies.  I encourage you to do your research on the foods you most commonly eat.  It is enlightening.  Starting last January I decided to clean up my diet.  I have since lost about 20 pounds, many inches, and found a new sense of strength, well-being, and health I never knew I had.  I am in better shape that I was even in high school while I was a three sport athlete.  A quote that struck me and stuck with me was- "You have the power to create your own health, or your own disease."  I will be damned if I create my own heart disease, cancer, obesity, or organ failure.  I will be damned if my poor decisions were to ever impact my children one day in a negative fashion.  Science supports findings on how our diets impact our health.  Modern medicine is supported by prescription drug companies.  I trust doctors.  I believe in their knowledge.  But, I am going to try and prevent ever having to go to their office.  If my doctors miss me, they can find me in the kitchen, in the gym, or in the community using my joy and skills to impact the lives around me. That is a much better use of my time anyways.  :) 

Last night, I craved mac and cheese.  Sooooo, I took gluten free quinoa/rice noodles, cheddar cheese, a little bit of Parmesan, a tbl of Greek yogurt, a splash of almond milk and a head of cauliflower to make a masterpiece.  I topped it with 3 oz of buffalo chicken and half of a sliced avocado.  It must have been good because I'm pretty sure I just drooled on my key board while typing this.  If you are interested in the noodles, I found mine in the organic whole foods section of my local grocery store.  I finished my meal feeling satisfied and happy.  Oh, and desert.  I am one of those people that "needs something sweet," after a good dinner.  For that, I mixed half a cup of plain Greek yogurt with 1/3 a scoop of chocolate flavored soy protein, 1/2 tbl of PB2 with chocolate, and 1 stevia packet.  SO yummy!  Food brings me joy.  There I said it.  :)  

As humans, we only achieve to the level of success or change which we aspire.  Today, I am going to reflect on my ultimate goal.  

My lifestyle will consist of a mostly plant based diet which is also gluten free.  I will live with a healthy diet all the time, rather than a strict, dangerous and calorie reduced diet sometimes.  Most of the meat and fish that I or my family will consume will be either personally hunted/caught, or purchased from a local source.  There is no miracle pill, meal replacement or shake that can correct a poor long term lifestyle. I will remain focused on preventing health problems through healthy living, in order to limit correcting health problems through pills and procedures.  I am what I eat.  I will feed my family and those around me in a way that nourishes their bodies and not just their cravings.  I will find a way to cook healthy and nutritious foods that are delicious and inviting to tables full of friends and family.  I will exercise and train in order to keep my body in optimum shape and health.  My body was given to me in order to move. 

"When in doubt, use nutrition first." - author known.

What is your ultimate goal?  I would love it if you would comment and reflect for yourself.   It is never too late to start a healthy lifestyle.  There is never a question that is not worth asking.  If you are unsure how to start changing to a mostly plant based diet or need recipe ideas, please let me know.  Follow me on Instagram (MrsGates21).  I post almost all plates that I make!  

Have an excellent day!

C.