Stay the Course

I'm not sure my body is acclimating to the new diet and the urges are stopping or if i'm just getting better at ignoring all that is around me - but i think this new way of eating is working! It's not so much a challenge anymore which is relieving. I'm not feeling that pull to my old habits as much as i was. i'm still in a bit of a rut, but i'm definitely branching out - spicey red curry, tofu spring rolls (not deep fried), hummus plate with 3 different types (delicious). I'm loving the raw juices and yes, the vegan cupcakes are still my downfall. I had 1 last night. They're decadent. I need to find out what is in them and i think i need to seriously limit myself. Nothing this good can be healthy.

I did feel a little anxious on Sunday - i went to my parents house to say hello and then to run errands - but i hadn't eaten anything yet. While I was driving through Marin trying to figure out what and where to eat - i was getting, i don't know, not worried, but more uncomfortable with the choices. Can't have that - can't have that - can't have that. I was crossing off all the options in my head and - as i was pressed for time - was beginning to feel that i wouldn't be able to find something suitable. I ended up getting a turkey (fresh roasted, not rolled) with avocado, sprouts, green peppers on sliced sourdough. It was an actual relief when i had it in my hands on my way to the checkout counter.

This is all still too new to me to lapse back into my old habits. Lent isn't over yet - and while this started with that - and i intend - scratch that - i will - make it through Lent - i really want to continue this. I feel fantastic. I am still in the baby stages of this change (tomorrow will be 3 weeks) and to slip up now, knowing myself, would be disasterous. It would cycle into going back to my old habits and nearly impossible to start again.

Old habits die(t) hard

xx K

One day at a time

I had a vegan cupcake for breakfast. Someone stop me!

That addiction aside, the soba noodles were deeelish! I'll definitely have them again. I had vegan red lentil soup for dinner last night which was also very tasty. A little texturey - grainy almost - but still yummy. I have the grilled chicken salad for lunch. Not sure about dinner - i have a party i'm supposed to go to at Neiman's tonight but i'm not sure i'm going to make it. It's pouring out - buckets - and i'd rather cozy up than primp and pose for pictures.

I've noticed that i'm reaching for food when i'm bored. I think i might be a boredom eater. And an emotional eater. I need to retrain myself. It's very interesting learning about myself in this way with this new lifestyle. I miss crackers. How weird is that. I still feel the pull and it's a teeny bit hard when i walk down the wrong aisle at the grocery store or walgreen's and end up in a minefield. But it's getting better.

Good things to come.

xx K

Organic Rut

I'm doing this whole no processed, packaged, boxed, bagged, frozen, etc food thing - only organic, natural, fresh or raw foods for me - tomorrow it will be 2 weeks. It's going really well, i'm feeling fantastic - energized, clearer (if that makes sense), and healthy. Having dropped probably 8 pounds is an added bonus. My only issue, as Rich pointed out last night, is the rut i'm in with what to eat. He basically said he's getting bored for me listening to what I'm eating. I'm pretty much stuck on a grilled chicken salad and the grilled chicken pesto sandwhich (super light pesto, not oily - more flavorful than sauce-like). I've started incorporating raw organic juices like the Body Cleanser (carrot, celery, apple, lemon) and the Skin Refresher (cucumber, apple, strawberry) - but I needed to branch out food-wise.

So while pondering what to order last night, i decide i'll order grilled chicken skewers with coconut cilantro jasmine rice from the restaurant next door to Lettus. While not necessarily organic, their food is super fresh and low fat. I call and call and call - only to get a busy signal. Out of frustration and hunger, I go back to Lettus and opt to explore their menu a bit. I order the Tuscan panini for dinner (meh, i'll pass on that again) and the chilled soba noodles with ginger, lime, scallions, veggies and sesame seeds for today's lunch. I ordered another raw juice and a vegan cupcake. Normally i wouldn't order a vegan cupcake, really not appealing to me - but ohmygod this stuff is like crack and i'm addicted! I have no idea how they make them so good but they need to take them off the menu.

So i'm trying to branch out - it should be easy - but i'm a create of habit. So we'll see. I'll let you know how the soba noodles are.

An interesting off-shoot of this little organic non-packaged anything diet is that my ulcer hasn't been hurting at all. I'm still taking my meds, but I haven't had a break-through in 2 weeks. Amazing...

Once Lent is over (the reason for this whole change) i'll probably stick to this new way of eating - i'm feeling amazing and the urges for crackers and crap, which at first were incredibly strong, have started to fade and wane. I think it's a matter of knowing my triggers and how to cope without reaching for those things. I'm getting there. Wish me luck.

xx K

Happy Valentine's Day

Last night's conversation - a tiny tidbit of why i love this man:

Me: How much time do i have? Do i have time to run and grab dinner?

Rich: A half hour - go get your dinner and then we'll watch it - no hurry

Me: Do you want anything?

Rich: No, I'm fine (laughs)

Me: Nothing? What about a vegan cupcake?

Rich: Haha, no - i already have one of those

Me: Awww you mean ME!

Happy Valentine's Day Rich - i love you!

XOXOXO - always - your vegan cupcake

Hey Hey Hey!

Wow - long time no type...

Lots has been going on - spent a fantastic 2 weeks in NY - it was absolutely wonderful - too short.

I got that horrible cold that went around - nursed that for a little over a week. The cough just hung around for a week after that.

I set my microwave on fire - it wasn't a huge fire - just some lovely ambiance for my kitchen. There really should be manuals for those things. Oh wait. Nevermind.

4 months of planning a gala came and went with a fabulous black tie party at the end of January. I got the most gorgeous Zac Posen bag (secured the donation for the party and then won it that night - YAY me!) - it's seriously gorgeous - red satin - it's called the Aurora.

Went to a gallery opening - left early - the art wasn't compelling.

Chopped my long hair off (6+ inches) - it just brushes my shoulders now and i totally love it!

I gave up anything processed, packaged, bagged, boxed or frozen for Lent (yes, i'm jewish, but i love Lent - i love the idea of giving stuff up) - it's been a tough week (oh quiet) - but I'm feeling SO much better. Only fresh organic foods - thank god for Lettus (amazing organic restaurant in my neighborhood) or I'd be really struggling. I think it will get easier this coming week.

Bought a Rubik's cube on impulse and i absolutely dread that decision. It's sitting next to me - all colors mixed up and a complete mess. I should take it back and say mine is broken. I honestly don't think i'm going to be able to put this back together.

That's all for now - i'll try to write more often - thanks for hanging in there :)

xx K