Tempeh Tantrum

In all my veggie loving years, I have never had tempeh. I felt it was time.

So I bought a package and decided to use it in a stir-fry in place of my old stand-by, tofu.  I love tofu....silken, soft, firm, extra firm.  I love it all.  I bake it, fry it, steam it, turn it into eggless egg salad, pudding, salad dressing. 

I did a little research on different cooking techniques for tempeh.  I decided to sauté it in a bit of sunflower oil to make it crispy.  That's what I did.  I heated a very thin layer of oil in a non-stick pan and placed the thin pieces of tempeh in the oil.  Once crisp, I turned the pieces over, and cooked until crisp on the other side.

Before adding to the stir-fry, I tasted a piece.  I LOVED the texture.  It was crispy and light.  At first bite, the flavor was nutty and delicious.  And then, all of a sudden, it wasn't.  I can't really describe my reaction that followed the initial perception.  But I just didn't like it.

Was I overreacting to trying a new food?  I like to try new things (hence the tempeh) and I don't consider myself overly picky.  Sometimes I'm off-put by the smell of a food before I try it.  I smelled the tempeh as soon as I opened the package, and it seemed very mild.  And it smelled quite good while cooking it.  So what turned my initial reaction south so quickly?

Was it just me?

My husband will pretty much eat anything I serve him.  He loves vegetarian/vegan alternatives and is pretty easy-going when it comes to food choices, both at home and in restaurants.  I had him try a piece of the tempeh before adding it to the stir-fry.  His reaction was pretty much identical to mine.  And his response was his usual, easy-going, "it's ok."

I thought maybe it would be better once coated in a delicious orange sesame sauce.  Not really.  I ended up eating just broccoli and red sprouted jasmine rice.  So my meal was lacking in protein.  My husband took a few bites and opted for making a sandwich. 

The completed dish looks yummy.  And I suppose, if you like tempeh, would be pretty tasty and satisfying.

Did I do something wrong?  Or is tempeh just an acquired taste?

Vitamin D. It does a body good.

For the past few years my body has been seriously deficient in vitamin D. My doctor had advised me to take 3,000 iu of D3 every day. So I started off on a high note, taking it every day for a week. And then I'd take it sporadically until I just didn't take it at all. 

I've never really taken any vitamins or supplements consistently. Until now. I now take a whole food multi-vitamin three times a day and 2000 iu of D3 once a day.  Remembering to take something three times a day can be daunting. So I keep a stash on my desk at work and I have a reminder pop up on my calendar. So far, it's working pretty well. 

I know that diets lacking in animal products can lead to a B12 deficiency, so  I've added that to my grocery list this week and will pick it up in the next few days. 

I'm hoping that with my plant based diet, and addition of vitamins, my energy level will increase. 

What vitamins, minerals, supplements do you take?  What are the benefits?  Have they changed the way you feel?

Super Simple and Satisfying Breakfast

Overnight oats. 

My newest obsession for the past few mornings. Couldn't be easier and the possibilities are endless. Here is this morning's version:

I mixed 1/2 cup rolled oats, 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 1 T maple syrup, 2 T chopped pecans and a dash of cinnamon. I left it in the fridge overnight and this morning I had a delicious, hearty breakfast. You can even pop it in the microwave if you prefer something warm. 

Agua, Mayim, WATER!!!!

How many times have we all heard, or read, how important it is to stay hydrated?

It's probably my biggest downfall. 

The human body is 50 to 65 percent water.  All human bodily systems depend on water in order to function properly.  Studies indicate that proper hydration improves skin health, digestion, and metabolism, among a long list of other things.  It flushes.  It cleanses.  It's refreshing. 

But I find it so hard to drink water.  And I don't know why.  I can get into bed at night and recall that all I've had to drink that day is a cup of tea in the morning, half a glass of water with lunch. and half a glass of water with dinner.  This happens more often than not. 

There are different theories out there stating how much water one should drink on a daily basis.  64 oz a day?  10 glasses?  1 oz for every pound you weigh (I'd never be able to put a glass down)?

For me, the answer is simple. Here's how much I need each day: MORE. 

So right now, I pledge to drink MORE. 

I bought a glass drinking bottle and I'll be able to fill it up at work with filtered water.

So my question to you...what helps you to stay properly hydrated every day?  What are your tips for drinking more water throughout the day? 

New year...new me....

Sounds cliché, huh?  It's sort of my mantra this week.

Yesterday was the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year.  It begins what are referred to as The Days of Awe; the days between the jewish new year and Yom Kippur, the day of repentance.  The Days of Awe are a period for self-reflection. To look inward and decide what we want for ourselves for the next year.  To decide what changes we might incorporate into our lives. To find inspiration on how to better ourselves.  To set our hopes for where we'll be in the 11 months that the lunar calendar lays out before us.

As a liberal Jew, I love to celebrate both my religious and secular lives. Or really life.  Because as a liberal Jew, I don't necessarily differentiate between the two.  I am American. I am Jewish. I AM ME.

Rosh Hashanah always happens to fall at the beginning of my favorite season. The air becomes crisp and the leaves change.  Growing up, it was a time that my parents would buy me lots of new clothing and shoes. 

For most, it's time to pull out your favorite sweaters and blankets.  For me, it used to be the time to pull out my favorite sweaters.  

Because of my size, shopping for clothes is horrific.  For the past two years, I have resigned myself to wearing shirts in shades of black and gray, topped with a black open cardigan.  I have a rotation of eight or nine shirts and six or seven cardis. Those items, paired with a pair of dark jeans, or a pair of cropped jeans, comprise my wardrobe.  It's not fun.  Once in a blue moon, I'll find a shirt to add to my repertoire.  I basically dress for winter all year round.  My excuse when people say something about my clothing choices when it's hot out: "when you work in a freezing office all day, you have to dress for winter."  That's an excuse. 

While shopping with my sister-in-law recently, I realized I have such a sense of style that I just can't express.  It's time to change that.  It's time to allow myself all the offerings in shades other than black or gray.  I want to walk into a store and say "I'd like to try that on," and be able to try it on. 

I want options and choices and color and high heels and form-fitting and stylish and trendy and easy. 

So this Rosh Hashanah has even more meaning to me this year.  Because for once, I will hold onto and honor and achieve all the intentions I have set for the next 11 months.  And next year, when I walk into the synagogue to ring in the new year, I will be wearing a new outfit.  I won't be wondering did I wear this here recently and will someone notice?  I will walk in proud, in color, feeling refreshed and renewed, as one should on that day. 

Do you know the muffin man?

I'm recipe testing vegan muffins. I'm hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Stay tuned!  What are your favorite vegan recipes?

Tira-mi-su. And snacks.

Two posts in one day?  Double treat!

Did you know that Tiramisu, everyone’s favorite Italian dessert, literally translates to “pick-me-up?”

One of my downfalls?  I’m a nosher; a grazer.  I could eat little bits here and there all day instead of 3 meals.  I’m trying not to do that so much now. Today, I had breakfast, then lunch.  It’s mid-afternoon.  I’ve got an hour and a half left in the day.  I need a little tira-mi-su.  I love these little pouches from Mamma Chia.  They are made with fruit, fruit juice, and chia seeds.  No added sugar, and the chia seeds are super filling, and a great dose of Omegas.  It’s sweet but not too sweet.  It really hits the spot.  And it’s super portable.  I just throw one into my purse or my work bag, and I’m good to go.  I had a sample at my local Whole Foods recently, and the Mamma Chia rep who was in-store that day, was sooo nice. I’m a sucker for nice people.  And yummy snacks.  I tried all the flavors and the Mango Coconut was my fave. 

**I have not been solicited or compensated for my review of this product.  All opinions are solely my own.  (Believe me, if I don’t like something, you’ll know!)

Who Am I? And Why Am I Here?

I know you're just dying to know, right?

I am a lucky girl.  Why?  Because I’m “healthier” than I should be.  But that doesn’t mean I’m healthy. 

I’ve been overweight since the age of six.  And for the past fifteen years (except for two periods when I was able to lose a significant amount of weight, only to gain it back,) I have been classified as morbidly obese.  So I guess I should use the term “relatively healthy.”

I have borderline high blood pressure, but I’ve been lucky enough to avoid full-blown high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and other maladies that usually accompany obesity.  My joints ache most of the time. Hell, my whole body aches most of the time.  Walking up a flight of stairs, or even half a flight, is a chore. 

I’m in my mid-thirties and I feel lucky. But I also feel that luck will run out.  It will expire.  It will sneak up on me quietly, or shock me, any day.  My habits of eating lots of sugar and highly processed foods will catch up to me.  I feel that my fear is now greater than my desire (or unconscious desire) to choose the wrong foods.  I feel that my fear is now greater than my desire to lie on the couch from dinnertime until bedtime, after 8 hours of sitting at a desk (although, I do love my job!) 

I feel that the time is now.  It is NOW. Now I will make the right food choices. Now I will slowly incorporate physical activity in my daily life.  I didn’t say “routine.”  “Life” sounds way better than “routine,” doesn’t it?

So follow me on my journey.  Follow me as I improve my life.  Follow me as I prolong my life.  Follow me as I learn and grow. 

Though eating meat and fish occasionally, I have leaned towards a vegetarian diet for the last 20 years or so.  I have always been interested in a vegan lifestyle.  I love real food.  I have already learned that processed foods have one major side effect on me…they make me want more processed foods.

But then I have to be honest with myself…it’s not a vegan lifestyle that I’m after.  It’s a plant based diet that I’m after.  Without getting into the politics of it, I won’t classify myself as a vegan, because the term encompasses so much more than just the food you choose to consume.

A few years ago, I followed a plant based diet for six weeks.  Aside from the ten pounds I lost, I felt amazing.  I had energy.  My joints felt better.  My whole body felt better.  I felt lighter in general.  It’s only taken me the few years since to realize that I want to feel that good again.  But this time, for longer than six weeks.

My goal?  I will strive towards a 95% plant based diet.  Why 95% and not 100%.  I want to be realistic. Occasionally I need a few bites of the best ice cream (in my opinion) in the world.  I need a few bites of creamy, French, triple crème cheese.  The keyword: occasionally.  

I will get up and move.  I’m not the hardcore, boot camp, dive right into intense physical activity kind of person. I will start slow and the progress that follows will encourage me.  It has been a goal of mine to jog a 5k.  I have walked a 5k, and I’m not quite sure when, or if, I will ever become a runner. But I will jog a 5k.  Maybe in 6 months. Maybe in a year.  But I will jog a 5k.

So, here I am.  Taking responsibility for myself. Taking responsibility for my past, my present, and my future. You will learn a lot about me as time goes on.  You will learn about me as you follow my journey.  I hope we can learn from each other.  You can ask me questions, and share your wisdom and your experiences.  And I hope that you will answer my questions.  Let’s share our challenges and our victories.  Let's do this together....

"If I am not for myself, who will be for me?  If I am only for myself, what am I?  And if not now, when?"

Variation on a Theme

You might be saying this is déjà vu. My previous post about breakfast is similar...sprouted bread, PB, banana. Today's breakfast was courtesy of two lone figs sitting on my counter.  I grabbed a piece of sprouted bread (Trader Joe's is my favorite!)  I added a little almond butter and sliced figs quick, satisfying, and so delicious. Don't be afraid to change things up once in a while. Variety is the spice of life!

My Perfect Breakfast

This has been my favorite these days....

Sprouted bread with a shmear of all natural peanut butter and sliced banana.  Sometimes I'll swap the bread for a sprouted wrap. Protein. Complex carbs. A little sweetness. Keeps me full for hours. Add a cup of hot decaf green tea, and I'm a happy camper!

Here I Am!!!!

Stay tuned for my new and improved blog!