Almost everyone over does at Christmas and New Year. All that booze, cheese, crackers, chocolates and celebrating can really suck you in and before you know it you’re eating everything in sight (well, I hope it’s not just me!!). But why not overindulge? Everyone deserves a little down time and enjoyment at the end the year. But too much enjoyment often results in not really enjoying anything (when you need up ill).
As you know, I am constantly battling food to see what works and what doesn’t. But at this time of year I don’t fight it. I eat whatever I want, when I want and don’t feel guilty about it. But, I don’t throw away all my good sense!! There are still a few things I continue to do that I know keeps me healthy amid all the chocolate covered chaos.
These immune boosting habits are great all-year round, but especially when you know your body needs a kick up the keister.
Growing your own vegetables is not an easy thing to do. Well, not for me anyway.
I love the idea of growing my own food. I love to just pop out to the herb patch and steal fresh snips of coriander, basil and parsley any time I’m in need.
Right now, my celery is flourishing – it obviously loves the Australia winter. The stalks are finer and thinner than the ones from the supermarket and a bit more chewy but it’s nice to know that there are no sprays or nasty stuff on it – maybe a few ants.
I do struggle to keep the broccoli going. It seems to go to flower before the vegetable has time to grow much bigger than my thumb. It’s still edible and great for stir-frys.
I’m quite keen to pull my biggest leek and make a leek and potato soup before it gets too warm here in Western Australia. It’s beautiful with fresh or dried Thyme. Yum.
I want the goods but I don’t want the work involved.
This is a bone of contention between Mr M and I. He moans because I don’t spend any time in the garden (he does most weeding and maintaining).
I just don’t have a green thumb, which is shocking considering my mother and step-father were both professionals gardeners!!
I remember being a teenager and sulking because I had to help weed and pick vegetables. If I had only paid attention and soaked up that education (that I saw as punishment at the time)!! Regret is a bitch.
So, I don’t like weeding, pruning, watering, sun protecting, planting or getting my hands dirty.
But I LOVE picking, preparing and eating freshly grown, chemical-free herbs and vegetables (and it feels like it’s FREE cause you forget how much the boxes, seedlings, soil and gardening tools cost).
I think I’m getting better at it. I get out there, if only for 5 minutes, every few days to maintain my scattered gardens. And I reap the rewards at dinner time!
I’m nuts about nut butters!!! A gluten and dairy free snack
When you go on a restricted diet, things can get tough. Sometimes, you look around and think, ‘what the hell CAN I eat?’.
In the beginning, you’re hungry all the time.
But then, you adapt and figure out that this healthy eating is making you feel great, really great.
When your mouth is open to everything and anything on the bakery and supermarket shelves, your choices often lean toward ease & convenience.
Toast was my go to fast & easy snack. Toast with butter and peanut butter.
Well, toss the butter and toast and what do I have?
Peanut butter. Which I have no problem eating from a spoon but it is more exciting when it’s on something.
So, I had to dig deep and remember that I LOVE organic peanut butter on celery sticks or apple slices, which is just as easy as opening a package of processed crap.
And not only PB.
I’m nuts for ABC (almond, brazil nut and cashew) spread too.
And while shopping in the city on Saturday, I found another nutty gem: Mayver’s Original Super Spread.
It has chia seeds, sesame seeds, almonds, peanuts, cashews, brazils and hazelnuts! It’s to die for (literally for my friend Laura, if she eats it….sorry Laura you can’t have any).
I am seriously overdosing on this stuff. Right now, I am eating it from the jar!!!
So, now that I have some healthy and delicious snacks I am much more happy and much less hungry!!
Except when I go to bed. Because I’m still nursing the reflux (which btw, is 99.9% gone!!!!!) I do not eat 2-3 hours before bedtime.
Stay tuned for my next post about my newest fav therapy: Bowen.
Kai Chronicles 