A Food Update

Oh, what a great day!

I had work from 11-12, class from 12-1 today, then a big long break. During that time I visited our little farmers market here in Monmouth.

Look at that haul! All of that for about $23.00

Raspberries

18 Farm fresh eggs 

Pears

Apples

Squash

zucchini (for stuffed zucchini)

Tomatoes

Bell Peppers

Sucanat

Mixed Greens

Red Onions

A big squash/pumpkin thing (the gray thing in the back on the right)

An acorn squash

I got almost all the produce I needed. I just need a lime or lemon, and bananas. Maybe some garlic too.

Oh, I also got a lead on grass fed beef here in Monmouth! They were only selling freezer beef at the market and I really don't have a big enough freezer.

I got my poor charger in the mail today, so I'm tap tap tapping on my mini netbook once again!

I went to make a coconut smoothie today, and discovered that the cute little food processor Margie, Rick's mom, gave me didn't work. It was the first time I had tried to use it, so I was very bummed.

I had my sociology class today. Man, the professor is really full of himself. He thinks he's hilarious. It's irritating.

Then I had auditions, and we were only there for an hour and half when the director said she'd seen all she needed to and we were dismissed. 

Then guess what!

BIMART NIGHT!

Basically, a really fun event in which Bimart is open later than usual and they give out free food, pens and pencils, energy drinks, sodas, and they have a big wheel you can spin and win free stuff. 

Alysse and I stayed til the end and we kept getting free stuff. I ended up with a box of 12 satin hangers, a 30 hour febreeze candle, some cleaning products, 18 pairs of really cute short girls socks. (Which is great, because I was about to buy a pack of 6 for $4!) I also got a mug you can plug into the cigarette lighter of your car, and it heats up the contents to a steady degree. :) I have a thing for mugs, so that was great!

I bought a proctor silex mini food processor there too! It's a 1.5 cup capacity, which is perfect for just me and one other person, my honey or Alysse. :P It goes right along with our mini crockpot, rice cooker, coffee pot, sandwich maker and soon an iron. :D Maybe a griddle too. I saw a mini one at Bimart. I might have a problem. :D

My food consumption:

B: Quinoa with milk and a dollop of honey, again, since my food processor would let me make a smoothie for breakfast

That is my dinner/lunch. It was 2 strips of my uncured bacon, 2 of my farm fresh eggs, a batch of green pepper and squash sautéed and my attempt at squash hashbrowns. They weren't bad! That squash was really sweet. :D

I also had a cup of green tea with coconut oil and coconut cream and I had that during class today, so I think that's why I didn't snack much.

All in all an exciting food day!

Food Plan and Musings

I know I've been talking a lot about food, but I am going to get something right!

I am going to do a combination of the Paleo Diet while still listening to Sally Fallon and Mary Egin from Eat Fat, Lose Fat, which I highly recommend you read. The ebook is available at Barnes and Noble for $12.99.

Their coconut smoothie and coconut-yogurt smoothie looks like a great start to the morning!

What I am adding to my diet:

• A high fat, good protein base that focuses on vegetables and meats. 
• Eat Fat, Lose Fat also recommends lacto-fermented beverages such as kefir, kombucha, beet kvass and homemade gingerale. They aid in digestion and provide energy.
• Both diets like coconut products, like coconut milk and coconut oil. These are high in good fats (saturated fats) and will give you energy throughout the day. Coconut also helps you to lose weight because it enhances your metabolism. However, I am mainly looking to maintain my weight, but it helps with that too! 
• Cream, nuts and red meat are all ok! These also have a good saturated fat count that helps to satiate your body. 
• Avocados! I love love love avocados. They are full of monosaturated fatty acid, which is used for several body functions. When I eat avocados, I feel full of energy for most of the day! If you like avocados you should check out this recipe! I can't wait to try it!
• Bacon! Paleos love bacon, and why shouldn't we? As long as you avoid the nitrates and nitrites, you're in for a delicious and good for you treat. :) Nitrates and nitrites are preservatives that help to maintain the red color of the meat and prevent botulism. Recommendations are that pregnant women and children stay away from these. I think that if you shouldn't eat it while pregnant, you probably should try to stay away from it when you're not pregnant. 

What I am removing from my diet:

• Sugar: 
• An awful form of carbohydrate that depresses your immune system, raises insulin levels and can cause the formation of free radicals in the blood. Free radicals cause cancer. Watch out. Sugar is also something to avoid during pregnancy as it leads to gestational diabetes and toxemia.
• Most grains: 
• While Eat Fat, Lose Fat says to eat properly prepared whole grains, Mark's Daily Apple warns against grains. Personally, I find grains to be addictive, but not entirely filling. I even have soaked oatmeal (which I'm never too jazzed about) and I'll be hungry by 11am. I would rather focus on eating something my body can consume fully, rather than having an item that costs money and doesn't fill me up properly. 
• Instead, if I am really craving something grainy, I will find an almond meal, almond flour or coconut flour recipe to use instead. 
• Low fat items, such as yogurt and skim milk: 
• Rick, my honey, swears by skim milk because he thinks its great for you. Personally, I like Organic whole milk, because it is high in fat and has an amazing flavor. A lot of people consume raw milk, which I do while living with my mom, but I don't like the taste as much. It packs a hell of a hell of a nutritional punch, such as Vitamin A, D and K_2.
• Soy
• In America, it's a genetically modified plant that is pushing out small farmers and toppling the health industry, in more ways than one. Here people consume it in un-fermented forms, which have been linked to many diseases.
• Coffee
• Neither of these diets say no to coffee, so I am going to say it myself. It robs me of my natural hunger and gives me an upset stomach. Also, I'm addicted to frappuchinos. It's time to say no!
  
• Processed foods. 
• Even ice cream. D:

The school year is about to start, and I will be feeding myself for 3 months. I basically have the kitchen to myself during the day, so I will have plenty of time to make delicious, healthful concoctions. 

I do have a list of Primal Recipes on my delicious account if you would like to see what I discovered! They are tagged by ingredients and meal type.  Feel free to subscribe if you like what you see!

To move, or not to move

I am really in favor of moving in with Alysse once I figure out the car situation. However, budget-wise, it may not be possible. Here is my list of expenses:

Rent: $287/month
Car Insurance: $140/month
Gas: $80/month
Food: $100/month
Phone: $45/month
Savings: $150/month
Misc.: $100/month (electricity, etc.)

Pros:
Close to campus
College environment
Fantastic roommate
Don't have to drive to school
Kitchen all to myself
No commuting

Cons
Expensive compared to only paying for my car at my grandparents
Has the potential to ruin my relationship with Alysse

Ok, so I don't have very many cons, but still. At the moment, I am just staying here while I feel out what is happening with my car. I really think that moving in would be helpful, though I am not sure how I could manage financially.