Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Day Three of the Blitz

I am so amazed at the power of the Mary's Mini (see the McDougall link in a previous post about the blitz) plan. You saw all of the food I ate yesterday -- it was good, colorful, flavorful, filling and in fact, I didn't finish my dessert of mashed sweet potatoes and carrots (so I will have it before I head out to lunch today.)

I awoke this morning and immediately trotted to the scale for the results, and I weighed in at 157.8. Continued hurrays.

In fact, yesterday, I donned a pair of size 10 slacks to wear to work and realized that I better start wearing the tens now or it will be too late. Another Hurray. I needed a belt for that pair - Gordon continues to make new holes in my belts during this process.

Today I am have one foray out of blitz-mode to go to a Vegan/Raw restaurant: http://www.vidadecafe.com/vidadecafe.com/index.php

Stay tune for photo of how beautiful they prepare raw and live foods.

My doctor's appointment was yesterday and I regret that my numbers were not as stellar as I had hoped.

My B12 was good.
D needs to be supplemented.
But the surprise was that my cholesterol, which had been managed by Lipitor previously, but I stopped taking it because I don't like the data I read about it, went from 190 to 230.

Apparently, there is a genetic component to my cholesterol -- checked with one brother -- yep, Lipitor. Probably true for the other.

My awesome doctor, Aparna Asher, suggested we try a prescription fish oil to manage it and see what happens. She is a vegetarian and was telling me the benefits of yogurt in the Indian diet.

Much to learn -- always, learning......

Savor your day......savor the moments of living that unfold before you. Wishing you blessings.

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The Story Behind the Garden of Eden Vegan Blog

For those of you who knew me prior to December 30, 2009, I was a veteran of the fast food culinary institute. My son, when he lived with me would ask if I had ordered the "Shabbat pizza" yet as the sun was setting Friday nights.



My idea of a good meal was a McFish sandwich, fries with extra salt, and a medium diet coke.



Everything was better covered in a rich creamy sauce and the idea of a naked baked potato was as foreign to me as walking naked in Manhattan.



In June of 2009 I decided to formally become a vegetarian. Although I had dabbled with this, it was not until I read Skinny Bitch that the gauntlet was thrown.



Now being a vegetarian does not sign you up for good health. I was proof of that. Chubby when I started, I indulged in pizza, french fries, cheese, cheese, butter, cheese, pizza......and became very over weight, tipping the Toledos at 200 pounds at 5'4". And taking an assortment of meds for cholesterol and GERD and who knows what else.



As the decade was waning, and with my 60th birthday approaching in the year 2010, there was a perfect storm that snapped my beak and got me in gear. The same friend who gave me Skinny Bitch, turned me on to the John McDougall website. At the same time, there was a Grand Round lecture at the hospital where I work on the book Eat to Live, and at the same time, I was tired of how I looked and felt and needed to make a change.



I regret that I did not start this blog when I changed my lifestyle, but it is better late than never.



My weight is down about 35 pounds, my size has gone from a tight 16 to a loose 12. And I am on no meds, although my vegetarian doctor and I will review my blood work within this month to see if I need anything (like b12) boosted.



I began as a Vegan Minus. Or what I call a Garden of Eden Vegan.



As you know, a Vegan eats no animals nor animal products - none. But then I subtracted oil, sugar, and processed foods.

That is a big subtraction -- but it is this subtraction that helped with weight loss, lack of cravings, increased energy, health, and vibrancy.



Now I am dabbling in raw foods and have signed up to learn with Russell James (google him).



I like the taste and health aspect of raw foods, but worry about the increased calories. So I will (hopefully) use the raw creations as a supplement to my Gan (Hebrew for Garden -- I am in a Hebrew mood today) Eden Vegan lifestyle.



My doctor said that I should write a book about this since most of her patients need it. I said, "Who, or how many, would want to do this?" We shall see. It has been easy (no cravings) and exciting as life and energy unfold before me, just as it was meant to be. (It didn't unfold over a fried fish sandwich, extra tarter sauce.)



Join me or not. Walk with me the whole journey, day trips, part of it, or not. This is my 60th year -- buckle up life, here I come.