Saturday 18 February 2012

Shnitzel mania!


So ya know how all these gluten free recipes always look too good to be true? I often wonder if the photos are deceptively made with stuff we aren't aware of to make it look so normal and enticing. Well these are the "REAL MACCOY"!
I like to make a huge batch of these to save time and have ready shnitzel anytime to throw into a wrap or salad without any hassle. They can be eaten several ways. On a caesar salad. Topped with tomato sauce and cheese. Added to a regular or lettuce wrap with some fancy mustard and roasted peppers. you could top them with feta cheese and wilted spinach. I would even go as far as topping them with Apricot jam and Brie cheese mmmm!
Unfortunately I don't measure things when I cook. It kinda comes naturally to me. I guess from the years of cooking I've developed an eye for it. With practice, so can you.
So here is my loose recipe:
I used about 2 lbs of chicken breast butterflied (Aprox 4 lg breasts try to make sure your chicken is all pretty even in width so it will all cook in about the same time), 5 eggs whisked, about 2 cups of BLANCHED almond flour. To the flour I added salt, black pepper, paprika,Onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley and dried oregano. I dipped the chicken pieces into the egg first, then into the flour mixture, shook it off and placed it on a cooling rack on a cookie sheet (I find that if I cook it directly on the cookie sheet the bottom side gets mushy. This allows the heat to circulate around the chicken and make it crispy on both sides). I baked them on the middle rack at 375 for about 20 minutes. This really turned out heavenly!! I hope you'll try it!

Wednesday 25 January 2012

My Before and After picture! 2012

This is my transformation from the past 8 months. NO PILLS, NO SURGERY, NO COOKIE DIET, NO FAD DIET. JUST REAL/WHOLE FOOD!!!

I'll post some new updated ones in the summer. :)

This is me!


Okay so I have composed myself. A Whopping 120 new incredible fans and tons of comments of praise and encouragement. I WAS TRULY TRULY HUMBLED TO THE POINT OF SOBBING! Huge thanks to all those who shared my story on their page, YOU ROCK! To think that little ol' me could be a source of motivation to people is beyond belief for me. Chances are if you "liked" my Facebook page it's cause you wanna know more. Well let's just be clear about one thing. I AM NOT A DOCTOR! I can't give any medical advice or guidance for any specific disease or condition sorry. I'm just a mom of 4 kids all under the ages of 10 years old and wife to a wonderful and extremely accepting and loving husband who eats the same way I do (His progress update coming soon..).

I have a very hectic life, I don't make a ton of money and I've have always been overweight. My numerous pregnancies didn't help that matter much! My entire life I felt I was cursed with bad genetics and hated my body for the way it looked and felt. Learning to eat properly (Along with my family's undying love and support) has taught me to listen to my body and work with it, not against it. For the first time in my life I love and respect my body and am committed to helping it along in every way possible. I see now that I'm not cursed. I'm blessed! The past 8 months for me have been spent "unlearning" everything I have always known about food/eating and "relearning" how, how much, when and what to eat as well as where my food comes from and what has been done to it (if anything). There is sooo much we don't know about the foods we trust are FDA approved and nicely packaged and placed on the shelves for us to conveniently grab. I've worked on making a mental shift from eating because something looks or smells good to eating to sustain and nourish myself (Eating to live not living to eat). Learning to recognize when I'm truly hungry and when I'm full. Is it easy? No. Not always, but as my journey progresses the cravings have subsided, my bodily functions have improved in several ways (I'll spare you guys and not get into that! LOL), I'm setting my kids up with healthy and positive associations/habits with food and they will grow up to be healthy and strong.

My meals have more color, flavor and life in them, I have and continue to make new and exciting food discoveries almost on a daily basis. It's all been very liberating and empowering. I don't see my new way of eating as deprived or limited. I see all the endless potential to take what nature gives me and spice it up however I choose! Each day is a challenge for me to see what new, fresh and exciting stuff I can do with veggies and proteins. I LOVE IT!! I know not everyone has this passion, time or interest so stick around 'cause I'm gonna let you in on all my secrets! No matter what your limitations are whether financial, emotional, physical, psychological.

Moderation is bullshit! There is just some food that is bad! Period! Stop making excuses. Stop wollowing in self pity. Get up! Make a choice to be healthy and happy and take charge of your life. Each day will get easier. You'll see! And I'll be around to help you when you get stuck! :)Will this lifestyle get me to 100? Who knows but I know that along the way I will be feeling young, healthy, sexy, limber and fit! I'm so honored that you're all here and I look forward to sharing, exploring and learning together in this "foodtopia" of mine! I sincerely welcome you all!

Monday 16 January 2012

Bring Back Family Meals


This is a post that is very near and dear to my heart and bares a message that I consider to be a crucial element to having a happy family. Please read and consider carefully.

Picture this…..Mom in her apron standing at the stove making dinner, Dad carving the meat at the head of the table, son clearing the dishes, daughter helping mom wash and dry them. The house filled with the aroma of home cooked food, clattering dishes, laughter and conversation. This seems like such an old fashioned way of life, I know. Call me crazy but it’s an image that is familiar to me. Reminiscent of my childhood. One that I fondly remember, cherish and make every effort to maintain for my own kids today. WHY??? Because it was the glue and it made me who I am today!

It’s an image that sadly has been lost in today’s society. Replaced by hustle and bustle of daily life and its commitments. In my humbled opinion it should still be a top priority for the modern family to eat together. Spending some quality time preparing and enjoying meals together, for so many reasons. In witnessing this dynamic our children learn about the structure of conversation and proper vocabulary. They are given the opportunity to observe as well as participate in exchanged dialogue, debate, disagreements etc... It instills a great sense of heritage, belonging, family values and culture. Stories are shared, jokes are told, debates are had. Legends are passed down. It helps develop a deep sense of security and establish routine. It’s a chance for parents and children to listen and demonstrate mutual respect. The simple pleasure of eating together is a time for laughter, fun and sharing love.

As you may gather from some of my previous posts, I’m not a believer in preparing different meals for each of my kids according to their preferences. To me this is also part and parcel to the lessons learned of sharing and of compromise at the dinner table. It’s an example that their world does not revolve around them. They won’t always get what they want. Kids must learn how to eat what's there, work with what they’ve got, how to remain seated until everyone else is done, how to pass the salt, hold their fork properly and other aspects of proper table etiquette. Believe it or not, a lot of today’s children don’t have those skills. We shouldn’t need to bring a portable DVD player to a restaurant in order to keep them calm and distracted until the food arrives.

Sharing food also develops gratitude. Setting time aside to really enjoy the meal, love, time and effort that goes into it gives your child an appreciation for it. Having him help set the table or clear the dishes can encourage the idea of giving and receiving. Children can be involved in the process of making the meal too. At a very young age even the simplest task is fun for them. Let them put the napkins on the table, take out the spoons etc... It will keep them occupied and allow them to feel more involved. I read this week that more schools are offering basic cooking instruction. It turns out that when kids help prepare a meal, they are much more likely to eat it, and it's a useful skill that seems to build self-esteem.

Somewhere along the way it became a badge of honor to say, 'I have no time. I am so busy,'" With both parents working and the kids shuttling between sports practices or attached to their screens at home, finding a time for everyone to sit around the table, eating the same food and listen to one another has become something of the past. Something we save for special occasions, holidays, gatherings. Hence our growing dependency on fast food, catered food and microwave meals.

Studies show that family dinners like anything else get better and easier with practice. The less often a family eats together, the worse the experience is likely to be, the less healthy the food and the more meager the talk. 45% of families who eat together during the week say the TV is on during meals and nearly one-third say there isn't much conversation. Such kids are also more than twice as likely as those who have frequent family meals to say there is a great deal of tension among family members, and they are much less likely to think their parents are proud of them. I have noticed the same trend in the car by the way. Some of the most profound and interesting talks I’ve had with my kids occurred after I turned off the stereo and ask a couple of questions.

Studies also show that the more often families eat together, the less likely kids are to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed, develop eating disorders and consider suicide, and the more likely they are to do well in school, delay having sex, eat their vegetables and have a greater vocabulary.

Have I given you enough valid reasons to slow down and eat together? You don’t need to make fancy meals. Buy a roasted chicken, a box of mixed baby greens salad and make some couscous (It takes 3 minutes). Take out a casserole you made over the weekend and pop it in the oven. Make grilled cheese and soup if you must. But no matter what, take the time to sit down and enjoy it with your family. Make mealtime pleasant, not a time for discipline or arguing about problems at school or work. You will bond and form special family memories.

Planning ahead will really help. Cook on weekends and double or triple a favorite recipe, enjoying one meal now and freezing the others to enjoy later when you don’t have time or inclination to cook. Soups and casseroles are especially good to freeze.

For families whose schedules make evenings together a challenge, breakfast or lunch may have the same value. So please, I urge you to sit down, turn off the TV,Turn off your cell phone and watch your family bloom!

Saturday 14 January 2012

A letter to my body


Dear my body,

I'm sorry for the way I fed you over the years. I know you tried to tell me when you weren't happy with what I ate, you tried to signal through aches, pains, symptoms. I wasn't listening. I blamed it all on genetics. But you forgave me. Gave me chances. Somehow you kept me well. Each morning hoping today would be the day that I heard your cries and decide to fuel you properly and move you more. Help you function at your full potential the way you were intended to. I see now that it was my food choices that were upsetting you. You can settle down now because I’m writing you to let you know that I finally understand, I hear you. I promise that from now on I’m gonna be better. MUCH better. You’re beautiful and I love you!

Thursday 12 January 2012

Kale chips!!!


Maple Kale Chips:
Basic and simple... wash and dry kale leaves; Remove all the stems, rip into pieces. For a small bunch, toss with 1 tbsp. oil, 1 tbsp. maple syrup, and a few grinds of salt. Put on a parchment-lined sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes, watching carefully so they don't burn. Devour!
These are a great snack on the go or late at night. Also a great way to get some extra greens in to your diet. You can flavor these any way you like. Cajun, asian, indian, sweet, salty etc.... Get creative, experiment, have fun!

Monday 9 January 2012

Eat your veggies Timmy part 2 (Eating out)

post-family-eating-out-10-best-places1

We talked about compromising with your kids in the “Eat your veggies Timmy” post. Let’s elaborate on that a bit shall we? Here are some tips for dining out.

Try to eat well and order just as well for your kids.

1: Don't allow your kids to fill up on bread before the meal. They typically have small appetites. You want the food they eat to count.

2:Stay away from the soda pop. These are typically brought before the meal. By the time your child's food arrives he has already had a whole bun and a tall glass of Coke. Doesn't leave much room in his tiny belly for the real food.

3:The kids menu is crap! Don’t order from it. It rarely consists of anything healthy. If it’s not healthy enough for you then don’t feed it to them. Most restaurants will put a children’s menu placemat in front of your child. No good. Once they see it, it’s hard to say no. It might help to ask the hostess NOT to bring one at all.

As far as ordering, it’s all about yup, you guessed it, compromise. Work with your child. They order a healthy dish, they can have a small dessert for example. Eventually they may not even want the dessert anymore. To them it’s about control remember? Another way you can allow your child to feel somewhat in control is by offering him multiple choices on what he may order. “You can have the chicken with mashed potatoes or the hamburger with veggies. You choose”. When you show them you’re willing to compromise, they tend to be more cooperative. If you have one child you can let him eat half of a regular meal and take the rest home with you for lunch at work the next day. If you have two children let them share an adult meal if they can agree on something together. Try to order them some chicken, meat or fish instead of a hotdog or pizza. As a side maybe salad, potatoes or veggies instead of fries. Again, Praise praise praise. After the meal, commend your child for making the right choice and taking charge of feeding his body right. Tell him he will feel better, run faster, get stronger because he ate right! And remember, it may take time and several efforts to get your child on board but in time he will and he’ll be happier and healthier for it. Good luck!