Hi My name is Julie and I'm a Carbaholic (Part II): A day in the life of recovery

Well, after the inspiring bitchfest of Part I, who wouldn't want to read Part II!? So, it's been a week since I've gotten back on track. I'm fully following the Weston Price nutritional plan, as advised by my nutritionist, and I'm already feeling more life in me.  In recounting the past eight months off of the plan, while deep in my carb/sugar addiction, I can say without a doubt, that so much of my wellness, sleep, mental health, physical health, and outlook on life is effected by food, and especially too much sugar in my body. But it's not just carbs, quitting sugar or breads, but the balance of proteins, fats and types of food. Already, just a week of morning smoothies with maca, almond butter, and quality grass fed whey has been changing the first half of my day. I'm feeling great! So here's a little window into a day in the life...

Nothing like a ripe banana in my morning smoothie!

I stocked up at the grocery store on organic produce (picked up some gorgeous peonies because they're in season here). I'm even attempting to pay attention to seasonal produce, and found a guide at Field to Plate. I'm trying to keep it simple. Sticking with what's on hand, and getting creative. I have a lot of recipes that I put together while 5 months on My Fitness Pal. I met a lot of amazing friends there, who loved my recipes, so they have been tested. My sundried tomato meatloaf with gorgonzola is a hit! Daily, I'm back to logging my carb-protein ratio, that way I can have mirror on myself. It's a little bit more difficult to deny the Red Vines, when you announce to your friends that you're eating them... didn't eat any this week, though I wouldn't skip enjoying some on free day. Everyone needs a free day. Moderation is my new motto. Anything too extreme, for me, can be like a rubberband pulled too tight. Boomerang!!

Several varieties of mint. It grows like a weed

A few weeks ago I planted more fresh herbs, and have some others that are hanging on from last year's planting. It's urban living here, so I grow the herbs in planters on the deck. This weekend is drip line installation... I found some great resources online to learn about installation. I love these herbs! I've been grabbing the herbs from the garden and trying them out in all sorts of things...from sautes to smoothies. Yesterday I made a pineapple basil protein smoothie. It was so tasty!

Sage with water drops

I've been obsessed with drinks like Mojitos, sans the alcohol. I've been making a watermelon mojito spritzer and a pineapple one... 

Watermelon "Mojito" Spritzer (makes one glass)
Stir together:
Ice
1 organic lime, squeezed
2 tblsp organic fresh mint, torn and crushed
4 ounces crushed watermelon, or watermelon juice
2 ounces sparkling water

Replace watermelon with fresh pineapple juice, to switch it up! Adjust ratios to your liking. Cucumber is nice in these too!

Grass finished steak in raw cultured butter with herbs and peas

I'm so thrilled to have my organic herbs accessible right outside my door, that I'm discovering some new variations on using them. Today for dinner, I grilled a nice grass fed (and grass finished) steak and sauteed herbs in raw cultured butter. I grabbed EVERYTHING, including mint, and garlic, chopped them up finely and made a nice little sauce with fresh peas. I find that this recipe by Nadia G for steak is foolproof if you have no idea how to cook a steak. The balsamic drizzle is pretty amazing too!! Hey, I said my food was healthy, I didn't say it was Kosher! You could replace the butter for some nice organic cold-pressed olive oil and lower the heat when you saute so you don't burn the olive oil.

If you don't believe that steak with a little butter is healthy for you... check out Part I of this blog and notice the lady in the bikini wearing the black hat. She's very healthy, she's almost 40, she ain't fat and she ate cartloads of bacon, red meat, eggs and butter to look this way. Thanks to the Weston Price Foundation eating guidelines she's gorgeous and feeling great! Now that's a day in the life of a recovering carbohydrate addict!


** last note... Just because I spent the past few months eating gummy bears, doesn't mean that I wasn't getting prepared to be back on track. My two favorite discoveries have been these cookbooks. Oh and I absolutely love cooking in one pot-- the Tagine:

Good Meat - Deborah Krasner
Eat Good Food - Bi Rite Market Cook Book