Food options and changes

Over the last few months my diet has been undergoing a some what drastic change. Fortunately the change hasn't happened all at once and this has meant it has been much easier to fall into new patterns and habits.

In my last post is discussed Michael Pollens' food rules very briefly, in main part it all comes back to... "eat food, not too much , mostly plants". After some of my requisite thinking and digesting time I have come to the conclusion that with the research he has completed coupled with that detailed in the China study and other food and disease related studies I have to agree. As a non-religious, scientist by training and fairly logical person the proof is there the testing makes the correlations, I don't feel a need to try and argue with it. Animal products are killing us. In particular the amazingly high amounts consumed are what marks a western diet and it's what is causing the rampage of the diseases of affluence through our society.

So to get back on topic, the thing I've drawn from ally his is part of the reason I have problems is really I eat far too many animal proteins and products. I've not yet gotten to the point where I have given them up completely. I still have milk in my proper coffees, yoghurt in my baking and occasionally for dessert. A slice of cheese in lunch and maybe some meat. Proportionately though nothing compared to previously. Milk goes off in the fridge now, even in the little 600 ml cartons. Yoghurt also tends to die before getting finished. The biggest difference is the switch in dinner. A standard now is a plate full of steamed vegetables a grain and maybe a piece of steamed fish although vegetables and grains is generally enough.

Over the last few month I have also worked on increasing my fluid intake and slowly detoxing from coffee. Where 4 years ago I would be drinking 4 to 6 large strong coffees a day, I now have fewer than one a day usually 2 a week. I now drink about 3 ltrs of green tea a day, 3 ltrs of water and perhaps a cup or two of a jarrah drink if I have a bad chocolate craving and a normal black tea at some point in the evening. I'm finding if I do t drink enough I feel horrible and the more I drink the better I feel during the day. Although I did have issues with my back teeth floating for half the day at some points.

My favourite breakfast at the moment is a home made Bircher Muesli mix. Recipe (well an approximation and it changes every time a little bit depending on supplies) below:

Izzys' home made Bircher style Muesli

1.5 cup rolled oats
.25 cup steel cut oats
.25 cup sultana raisins
.25 cup flakes almonds
.25 cup LSA mix
1 tbls chia seeds
2 tbls craisins
6 macadamia nuts chopped finely
6 brazil nuts chopped finely
6 dries apricots diced finely

Chop everything to snapping dice and then mix. I have about 1/2 cup of mix with apple juice on it (enough to cover the mix in the bowl, maybe 150ml?) the I put it in the fridge overnight to let it soak in. In the mornings I grate 1/3 of a granny smith apple ver the top and mix in.
Other options are to top with yoghurt for more protein, use milk in the morning if you prefer a more cereal consistency. Add different fruits or use a different juice, orange is also really nice.

Most mornings I eat breakfast at about 6 am. This keeps me going until I have a break at about 10 or 11 with maybe a rice or corn thin to help soak up some of the 2 ltrs of tea and water I drink when I get to work in the mornings. Without all the liquid this would happily get me through to almost lunch time at 1. Morning tea is generally fruit and a muesli bar or some corn thins and a hot choc so not a major meal.

So that's a bit more about my food. It's all a work in progress. I will still happily eat a 100gm block of Lindt in one sitting and love it, the difference is it's a $5, 100gm block. Not a $2 250gm block and I savor it, taste ever mouthful. Then I keep on eating good.