Monday, February 4, 2013

Mindful Eating

There was a time when I didn't think about what I was eating.  I would just eat whatever, whenever.
But eight years ago, I totally changed the way I think about food.  I started working out with friends, lost about 30 lbs and began a lifestyle change that is still evolving to this day.
A while back, a friend recommended that I read this book.
 I bought it while we were in Dubai in December and immediately began to read it.
Very interesting, and very easy to read.
But once I got home, reading fell to the wayside.
I've decided to start again from the beginning so I can really absorb the information.

I believe that food should be healthy, but quick and easy to prepare.
I especially like to make soups.
With just a few ingredients, lunch or dinner can be served in less than 30 minutes.
My youngest son who normally doesn't like black beans or spinach, will eat black bean and spinach quesadillas.  He even requested them for lunch today.  So much better than Taco Bell.
 I believe that healthy food does not have to be boring.
Bread is not the enemy.
Fad diets don't work.
Breakfast is always a must.
 And treats are mandatory.
Wishing you a happy, healthy day!

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Im very conscious now of what I am eating and now trying to eat more natural foods and cut out artifical foods (although a small amount here and there is ok) your soups look yumma

Linda said...

I like your way of thinking on this. At first, when I started reading your post, I thought "Oh no, not another friend hung up on diets"... because I have never believed in diets. Instead, I believe that it's all things in moderation with some physical activity mixed in, whatever that may be.

Since around the 1st of January, I too have taken on a different outlook towards food. No, I didn't make any resolutions (I don't believe in those either). What happened was, something that I had been experiencing for a long time but trying to ignore, happened again in a really bad way and I knew that I HAD to make a change. For me - it was the daily introduction of fiber. More fiber. It's made all the difference already - my stomach is flatter, my clothes are fitting better, and most of all - I'm feeling better! :)

I like soups too, but our dinners - which are the only main meal we all eat as a family together - are more large in content. Again though, the moderation is in the serving size.

Hope you're having a nice start to the week,

Linda

Sheila Rumney said...

We too have been concentrating on eating healthier. It is hard to get our son who is a very picky eater to get on board with all of us. Any tips?

Lyn said...

All looks and sounds interesting. Good luck with it. X

Susan said...

Hi Tammy. You look wonderful and have made some really terrific changes. I wonder if you recommmend the book. Why don't you do a review on it in your post? Susan

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,
No, I never had to lose any weight but there are other health issues. Diabetes type II, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
You do it right and your youngest son should receive a compliment for being smart enough to join in!
Hugs,
Mariette

Kate said...

Well written Tammy and so true. I will be checking my local library to see if I can borrow this book. I believe a good diet and food choices have helped my illness.

Have a great day
Kate
xo

Everydaythings said...

Tammy we have the arnotts mint slice here... erm... one of my fave biccies!

biscuit part of a diet? now youre talking! lol!

Deborah said...

Very interesting post, Tammy. I agree with you completely! I made black bean soup this week that was very good. I've been trying to figure out what city your Starbuck's mug is from. They're my favorite mugs!

Laurie said...

If you haven't already and get the chance, watch the documentary "Forks Over Knives". It mentions the China study several times. It's life changing for sure.

La Tea Dah said...

Great post! I have the China Study in my library and enjoy it very much. Healthy eating is SO important to a happy life!

Createology said...

Healthy eating is vital to our life span and ability to enjoy the journey. I am eating healthier but still love my sweets too much. You are an excellent example to your family and to all of us. Thank you dear...

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

The food photos you have shared in this post all look so delicious! I lost a substantial amount of weigh a couple of years ago and found my biggest change was in portion control.

val said...

Im the same way. Although I am not a vegetarian, I think fresh is best...and keep my blood sugar levels even by grazing thorough the day. A little salty, a little protein, a little veg, a little sweet... a little goes a long way to keeping healthy! Have a great week!

Mereknits said...

Your meals always look healthy and wonderful. I hope you share more about the book.
Hugs to you Tammy,
Meredith

Teresa Kasner said...

I agree with you! Love the cookies at the end. :-)
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Blondie's Journal said...

This book looks very interesting, Tammy, and good for you losing 30 pounds! I believe very much in portion control. A friend recommended I read the book "French Women Don't Get Fat", and as funny and silly as it sounds, it was really about portion control and little indulgences here and there. That and exercise has made a big difference in my life. I have a long way to go in losing weight but I feel good and good about myself. Thanks for a great post that wasn't about diets!

XO,
Jane

Lori ann said...

i agree! and i love soup too, it's my favorite meal, yours looks delicious!

Preeti said...

Seems to be an informative book! In India, in many places there is frequent power cuts and weather is generally hot. So people don't rely on refrigerators and fresh home cooked food is prepared twice a day. But since a decade back packaged food have captured the markets and many finding that convenient started using those which had preservatives too. Now we have packaged food without preservatives but people have realised the value of freshly cooked food.
Also, I guess every person have a body type used to certain food, like in India wheat is eaten widely whereas in many countries people do not prefer wheat. Similarly white flour used for baking is something doesn't suit with Indian climate. Too much of fibre is also not good for health.
Anyways, eating everything but well balanced is the key. But to know what is the perfect diet as per the body type and climate is difficult to arrive at.

Melanie said...

I totally agree with you on the mindful and healthy eating. We don't eat any processed or fast foods. I read labels on everything I buy and won't buy/eat anything with hydrogenated fats, chemicals, high fructose corn syrup, or too much sodium.

Hindustanka said...

Living here in India, I changed my diet a lot. Less meat, more vegetables. So I believe that actually it's good I'm here, as I can control my weight. However me and my husband sometimes have such carvings like for pizza and we just go for it, and then don't eat it for a long time. I think it's the best way :)Thanks for inspiring healthy living.
Anna

nicole said...

such a good philosophy to have about food!
xo

boysmum2 said...

Holy crap you get Arnotts Mint Slices in Kuwait??? man things have definitely progressed in the last 30 years since I left, ha ha

Sangeetha said...

Good thoughts. maybe if I follow the same I will look as good as you. :)
Love

Betsy said...

So true. Fads don't work. Cutting out entire food groups usually doesn't either. Moderation is key. Now I just have to implement it! Thanks for the reminder.
Blessings,
Betsy

Serena Lewis said...

I think I would like The China Study. As it stands, we are also eating healthier in this household. Bradley is now a pescetarian and I am transitioning from pescetarian to vegan. Your food pics look awesome! Mint slices are/were one of my favourite biscuits before I changed to vegan. I adore soups too and I actually made a big pot of vegetable and four bean soup for dinner tonight. Delicious!

Cat said...

You are so right Tammy. What we put into our bodies now is what we will live in the future. I can't wait for the weather to cool down here so I can start cooking soup again:) x

kathyinozarks said...

i agree with you, we can all make healthier food choices and eating at home is so much than eating out-

AppleApricot Wen said...

Hi Tammy,

That looks YUMMIE!!
Thank you for visiting me at my blog, I wish I would have had time to visit you earlier. It's nice meeting you and seeing your photos and crafts.

Wishing you a wonderful day!
Hugs, Wendy

Anonymous said...

A agree whole heartedly with everything that you say and your soups are just a jewel to behold! but I have to have my Taco Bell. I can't help it, I just do.
:-)
~Dawn

Dagmar said...

Totally sounds like you are on your best path possible..good for you❤
Have a great week Tammy,
Xo
Dagmar

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

So true. Eating healthy is a life change choice tht has wonderful results if one can stick to it. I have never heard of this book, but it sounds wonderful!

~*~Patty S said...

I could not agree more dear Tammy.
Here's to good health and happiness!
oxo

Our Neck of the Woods said...

A few years back I totally changed my eating habits after watching Food, Inc. I was appalled at farming practices and decided to take matters into my own hands and grow my own food. Of course I can't grow it all, but we do have a big garden in the summer that gives us a majority of our produce. I've heard of The China Study but never read it. I need to read it one of these days.

Sam I Am...... said...

I'll have to put that on my book list! I've read some books by Dean Ornish concerning the heart. This would be great since I have been wanting to delve deeper into nutrition as you hear so many differing opinions about it.
I'm like you, I put my best foot forward and I have never been one for eating out at all especially fast food but I do like good, nutritious meals that taste great!
Did you see my blog yesterday? I was just talking about the same thing and my criteria for a good recipe and I put one out there I bet your family would like too.
Take care sweetie!

Tanna said...

Excellent post, Tammy. You are so inspiring. I seem to make starts and fits with getting healthier since my running days ended due to my left knee issues... It was so easy for me to be disciplined before... I am a slacker now. =/ I have attempted to start walking this week... we'll see. You DO inspire me. blessings ~ tanna

Acorn to Oak said...

Hi. I just popped over from Vicki's party. I'm still making my way through all of the party goer's blogs. I've barely started reading your blog and I'm planning to become a follower. This post really caught my eye. I'm wondering if that book is about the same study that was referenced in the film, "Forks Over Knives". Have you seen it? It's very powerful. I highly recommend seeing it. We've become increasingly mindful of what we eat. We've made big changes over this past year. Then, this past month had huge changes when my daughter was advised by her doctor to go on a total elimination diet to try and figure out if something she is eating is causing some of her health concerns. That was drastic. We all decided to go on it to support her and see if we needed to eliminate anything. It was so hard at first but it's become a lot easier as time has gone by. I'm sure our eating habits have been changed forever. And, just in case you're wondering what we had to eliminate...it's a long list that you can Google, if you like. But, it basically just leaves veggies, most fruits, chicken, turkey, cold water fish, brown rice syrup as the only sweetener, seeds and tree nuts...I think that's about it. No gluten, caffeine, alcohol, processed foods and pretty much anything else. We've been on it for a month now. I think we feel better. My weight has dropped below my goal. And, our food tastes are changing a lot. It'll be interesting to see how it affects us in the long run.

Here's to healthy eating! :-)

Anonymous said...

I started eating better several years ago when I started having major stomach issues and doctor's were no help. Turns out I had to stop eating junk!! Now I feel gross when I go "off the wagon" but it's not always easy to stay on track. Thanks for your post with all the yummy healthy food pictures!

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Anonymous said...

I'm so with you on this post!
We are vegetarians here, and eat healthy homemade foods like soups and whole grain breads....and biscotti!!

You feel better when you eat good...and my kids wouldn't have it any other way! Great post girly!!


Ciao Bella
Carmelina

Kathleen said...

I'm going to look this book up. What you say here makes a lot of sense to me.

Love all your sky photos in the posts after this one. I rarely see sunrise but I think maybe I should make an effort every so often to catch one.

Enjoy the week ahead.
Kathleen.

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