topic Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014 in Beauty

HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

just bee — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:28:10 GMT

Hey, all you HEPcats and HEPdogs! We had discussed making the Healthy Eating thread a monthly jam session, so I just went ahead and did a little improvisation. This is an invite to our crazy crib where you can come and break it down! I say we go 18 karat on this and really swing. If healthy eating’s not your bag, no problem. But if it is, I dig.

It’s cool, I’m booted, let’s jump!

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

just bee — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:42:57 GMT

August was a blur; I can't remember an August that went by so quickly. So here we are entering a new month and soon a new season. Now's the perfect time to start planning a new way to buy food and a new way to prepare food.

My goal this month is to really change it up and shun the old haunts -- the grocery stores that made me think I'd have a seizure in aisle 6. I'm searching for new places to buy food.

And I have to take a hard look at the warehouse stores. They serve a purpose and I still like stocking up on certain items (paper towels, toilet paper, deodorant, canned goods, pasta...) but I really need to look at the waste generated when I buy super sizes of items that two people can't use in a reasonable amount of time. It's a trap: The big jar of ____ is half the price of the smallest jar at the grocery store. Why does it even make sense to pay more for less?

But when do you ever use up that whole jar? How many times do you go into the fridge and pull out that jar and discover something unpleasant in it? Example: Big jar of bleu cheese dressing. Great price on that vat of dressing at Costco. But twice now, about a quarter of the way through it, what have we found in the jar? Fur. Mold.

Really need to shop smarter and stop buying items we think we'll use instead of items we know we'll use.

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

MoJoV — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:31:42 GMT

jb, I said the same thing about August, can't remember one that went faster since I was a kid and back then summer lasted a week it seemed and I was back in school.

Also totally agree with the BB stores, looked into it and couldn't see any advantage for us,just me and him now.

I work at a grocery store and they make customers buy 6 of this or 10 of that to get the super deal. Doesn't make sense for a lot of people.

My mantra this month is going to be "less is more" both buying and eating. Thanks for the funny thread. Also your philosophy about dogs could not be more true.

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

BigOrangeKitty — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:38:52 GMT

Just Bee, I like the way you think! I agree with MoJoV, too. We need a plan that is simple and less expensive. I'd love to do the warehouse store, but just can't use up big quantities like that. Would even minimal purchases there justify the membership of a place like Costco's? They do have some great things at great prices. As I've said before, those grocery stores are getting bigger and bigger (some are like small cities) and how much of that stuff do we really need. What we need is to eat better and eat less. I like this thread, Just Bee.

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

BigOrangeKitty — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:39:18 GMT

Oh, and I like your Big Orange Kitty! Were you calling me???.........lol

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

willdob3 — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:54:27 GMT

Thanks for starting the thread, Bee! I dig it! I dig it!

We don't have Costco's here but I like the idea of getting great bargains from a club. On the other hand, I live in a small apartment with almost no storage space so stocking up doesn't work for me. I question my wisdom when I buy an extra large pack of toilet paper!

I'm just plugging along eating the same old, simple, healthy foods. It is easy & it tastes good to me. I don't get bored easily. In a month or so I will probably feel like making some soups and trying a few new recipes. It is too hot now.

I'm still losing & looking forward to dropping another size before it cools off enough to do shopping for fall clothes.

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

just bee — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 12:50:22 GMT

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

just bee — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:30:50 GMT

I'm so frustrated with our current food situation that I could just cry. First world problems, right? How could someone who lives in a country like this have any issues with the food? We have variety, we have supply.

I'm living in a state that is a culinary wasteland. This is where great restaurants come to die. I clearly remember that food was good here when we first arrived. Something has changed.

Like I've said, I'm worn down by the grocery store chains that offer everything but food. I can buy appliances and patio furniture but I can't find a great apple. My problem isn't that I don't like eating healthy food; my problem is that I can't buy healthy food. Where are we hiding it?

Produce has always been hit or miss here: Sometimes it's surprisingly good, most times it looks like it fell off the back of a truck. Good bread west of the Mississippi has always been a challenge. Maybe it's the water.

There's a local sausage-maker here in town and we finally got over there to stock up on a variety of products. Our first -- bratwurst -- was a success. But every sausage we've had since has been...uh... Let me put it this way: I couldn't eat my dinner last night. When Better-half asked me for my review I told him I couldn't get past the texture. This morning I went to the kitchen and found a one-word note from Better-half on the counter.

DISGUSTING.

I'm pretty sure he was referring to the sausage. The grind is all wrong. Way too coarse. Big chunks of fat and gristle. I'm at a loss. How does one screw up a basic sausage, yet stay in business and charge premium prices?

I want so much to support local businesses -- the butcher, the baker, the sausage-maker -- but I'm tired of the disappointment. Restaurant food has been awful -- they all season with salt and sugar and call it cuisine. Food in the stores is mediocre. Our local farms are too inconsistent.

We're running out of options.

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

BigOrangeKitty — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 03:53:14 GMT

I dislike going to the grocery stores. They're too huge and so full of stuff it's overwhelming. Who needs all that stuff. And it's getting risky buying produce there, so many recalls - cantaloupe, tomatoes, lettuce - you don't know if it's safe, and why do I have to buy tomatoes from Mexico? We don't grow tomatoes in this country? We have a new Wal-Mart. The food section is bigger than the rest of the store. They have a full deli, meat dept., aisles and aisles of produce, a bakery, huge dairy dept., and then so many aisles of grocery items. You forget you're actually in a Wal-Mart. I think restaurants are going down-hill all over the place. Many are closing and those still going just don't have the quality or service they once had. I'd much rather eat at home. Something simple, light. We don't need so much food!

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

aprilskies — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:41:17 GMT

Well, my healthy eating was going fairly well until recently. The last few weeks have been terrible. My love for bread, junk food and sugary treats came back with a vengeance. I just love it and thought I had it under control. I was still having it but not all the time. Then I got busy and started just letting loose. Uh huh, being busy is definitely a derailer and you really have to be mindful in those times. Although, if I am honest, I just used it as an excuse. I have so much stuff at home again but today starts my "back to healthy eating" program. oy vey. I will just show some willpower. I miss the days where I can eat what I want without even thinking about it. I didnt even have to exercise. I havent kept up with exercising either so I need to start back with walking. The worse part is I was actually starting to fit back in my clothes a bit.

Yes, I agree JustBee, about the food. I really think it has gone downhill. Unfortunately, I dont think that is going to change so I just do the best I can. It is disappointing. I try and not think about it because it makes me a little crazy.

Just recently I bought some loose raisins and they are just delicious. I mix some with almonds for a snack and it sure is tasty. They are definitely a repurchase if they stay the same quality. I will never buy the boxed raisins again. Those werent bad at one point but now, they should be ashamed to call them raisins. Tomatoes have also been delicious. The ones I pick myself on the farm. Now those are the tomatoes I remember from long ago. Soon, the season will be over and I am a little sad.

I agree, BigOrangeKitty, I dont understand why we dont use local farmers for our produce instead of importing it. At least, the stuff we do grow here. I have always picked certain things myself in the summertime, but this year, I have also made use of the local farmers that setup up stands. I made a point in supporting them.

So today starts my back to eating healthy. So far, so good. I may have a piece of pie later, the apple pie from Costco's is delicious, but it will be a little piece. I have never been big on apple pie and this I can devour. I may skip it tonight though since it is my first day back on the wagon. We shall see.

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

kittykatmom2 — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 23:50:32 GMT

Glad I found this thread. I need help in this area as well as The Compact. Got the results of my bloodwork today. My chloresterol is way too high. Things have got to change.

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

rehoda — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 05:36:27 GMT

bump

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

violann — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 11:54:56 GMT

Hi april- having been a craver-binger since I was 18 (think SEVERAL decades) I hope it may be helpful to you and/or someone else here if I suggest to you to find YOUR OWN TRIGGERS! Just in the last year I've learned that drastically reducing simple carbs also drastically reduces cravings, and my weight, overall health, and comfort levels have drastically improved. If I eat raisins, a fruit containing a lot of natural sugar, I will crave. Raisins are a healthy food, but for me, not a helpful food! Also, the concept of "will power" is nonsense, and I suspect that what I mean may be similar for you. I have "will power" to spare, and I bet you do too, but if a crave hits my brain, all the will power in the world can't stop it. Better for me to arrange my eating (I don't "diet" anymore . to give me tons of vitamins, protein, healthy fats and micronutrients. If I do, I have no cravings, no binging, happy me! Best of luck in your efforts to get healthy!

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

just bee — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 15:20:23 GMT

On 9/3/2014 BigOrangeKitty said:
I dislike going to the grocery stores. They're too huge and so full of stuff it's overwhelming. Who needs all that stuff. And it's getting risky buying produce there, so many recalls - cantaloupe, tomatoes, lettuce - you don't know if it's safe, and why do I have to buy tomatoes from Mexico? We don't grow tomatoes in this country? We have a new Wal-Mart. The food section is bigger than the rest of the store. They have a full deli, meat dept., aisles and aisles of produce, a bakery, huge dairy dept., and then so many aisles of grocery items. You forget you're actually in a Wal-Mart. I think restaurants are going down-hill all over the place. Many are closing and those still going just don't have the quality or service they once had. I'd much rather eat at home. Something simple, light. We don't need so much food!

I lived in California for almost a quarter of a century and I heard tales about agriculture there. I can't remember the last time I saw a piece of fruit or a vegetable from California in my local grocery store. The best produce routinely goes to the top markets (restaurants and such) and whatever's left goes to our grocery stores. I do look to see where things are grown. The bulk of our produce comes from south of the border.

Desperate, we went to Whole Foods the other day. There are actually signs on much of their produce that reveal where the item was grown. A lot of organic produce with signs that report the item is "locally grown"... in Colorado.

That's the trouble with our local farm. We were getting local deliveries and noticed that nothing we purchased was actually grown on the Albuquerque farm. Their idea of "local" can be any of the states around New Mexico. But every week I get an email from our local farmer, telling me they're expanding the farm and need more money in order to buy more real estate. To keep producing local produce that I have actually never seen. Again, that goes to restaurants.

I just checked on the nectarines I bought at Whole Foods. I wanted to see the label. It was tricky -- so hard to see it through the mold. Yes, the nectarines I haven't even tasted are now all fur.

There was a huge apple orchard in New Mexico and it had been in business for generations. A wildfire spread and destroyed it. Where do I routinely get my apples? New Mexico? Nay. New Zealand. Just bought some Kiku apples from Whole Foods. Better taste one quick before it bursts into rot.

But it's not all bad news. After we left Whole Foods we drove back to our side of town and went into Sprouts. Didn't recognize the place -- total renovation. The store looked beautiful. And then I saw them. After looking at organic bell peppers at Whole Foods that would barely fill the palm of my hand (and I have small hands), I saw bell peppers at Sprouts in all colors at sale prices that were so breathtakingly beautiful that I almost wept. They should have been posing for a still life. I held them in my hands and wondered if I'd ever see anything so beautiful again.

And then I almost did burst into tears. All those gorgeous bell peppers and no decent Italian sausage in the state.

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

gazelle77 — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 15:28:11 GMT

I have noticed this last week more info on the health new about the benefits of low carb and high healthy fat diet. Preventing Alzheimer's, diabetes and good for blood pressure and heart health. I have been eating this way for well over 10 years now. The other benefit I find is beautiful skin. Smooth, lineless and healthy. My dentist even asked me what I did to have such good skin when I was getting a crown down last week... now, I wear NO makeup when I go to the dentist. At 59 having No work done ever.... under that light they use.... and no makeup... having a young dentist compliment your face skin is pretty neat!

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

just bee — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 15:55:14 GMT

On 9/6/2014 gazelle77 said:
I have noticed this last week more info on the benefits of low carb and high healthy fat diet. Preventing Alzheimer's, diabetes and good for blood pressure and heart health. I have been eating this way for well over 10 years now. The other benefit I find is beautiful skin. Smooth, lineless and healthy. My dentist even asked me what I did to have such good skin when I was getting a crown down last week... now, I wear NO makeup when I go to the dentist. At 59 having No work done ever.... under that light they use.... and no makeup... having a young dentist compliment your face skin is pretty neat!

My diet is similar: High in healthy fat but high in carbs, too. Well, high in most fats. But I've never feared fats. I don't reach for the low fat products because what isn't fat is something else -- sugars and chemicals -- that I don't want. Avocados are my best friends. It's funny because when I was little I'd watch my mother eat them and I'd cringe. Of course, when I was little I'd cringe when I'd see her lick the spoon after serving up sour cream. Now I can't imagine life without either.

We do become our mothers.

Sounds like you need to share more about your eating plan! I agree that it's what we put in our bodies instead of what we smear all over it. Got a shopping list?

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

just bee — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:03:52 GMT

And speaking of avocados...

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

gazelle77 — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:05:56 GMT

I eat very low to no sugar... including foods that turn to starch and sugar in the body. No bread, rice, grains, or the like. Mostly just low glycemic vegetables( no potatoes or such), salmon, turkey breast on occasion, no fruit really other than one apple a day. So it is always a big salad, with raw soaked sprouted nuts, sproutedflax meal, chia meal etc and usually salmon or a health lean protein. Oh yes, avocado everyday in my salad.

Somedays I just for go the animal protein and just have Tofu or the like. Usually once a week I just have Greek yogurt ,plain, all doctored up with nuts, flax/ chia meal and a raw apple. But, Not much dairy other than cottage cheese or greek yogurt maybe once a week due to the sugars in milk product.

I do enjoy unsweetened almond or flax milk and have it with stevia and organic coffee every morning.

I have gotten use to not eating prepared, packed or fast food for so long, it is easy to not think or miss them. I also, enjoy knowing that the food I eat my body can digest and use for the healing and health of my body... the food is not a detriment to my health.

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

just bee — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:13:29 GMT

Not for the squeamish:

There was no way I was going to toss those furry nectarines from Whole Foods without tasting them. I nibbled around the fuzzy parts and I have to say that they were delish. I think that's the first time I've ever used that term in a sentence.

http://zealicious.com/_website_zeal/fruit/

The label: Zeal.

Hey! Maybe I finally found a California nectarine! Probably haven't had one since I left that state...

Re: HEP (Healthy Eating Program) – September 2014

just bee — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:25:34 GMT

On 9/6/2014 gazelle77 said:
I eat very low to no sugar... including foods that turn to starch and sugar in the body. No bread, rice, grains, or the like. Mostly just low glycemic vegetables( no potatoes or such), salmon, turkey breast on occasion, no fruit really other than one apple a day. So it is always a big salad, with raw soaked sprouted nuts, sproutedflax meal, chia meal etc and usually salmon or a health lean protein. Oh yes, avocado everyday in my salad.

Somedays I just for go the animal protein and just have Tofu or the like. Usually once a week I just have Greek yogurt ,plain, all doctored up with nuts, flax/ chia meal and a raw apple. But, Not much dairy other than cottage cheese or greek yogurt maybe once a week due to the sugars in milk product.

I do enjoy unsweetened almond or flax milk and have it with stevia and organic coffee every morning.

I have gotten use to not eating prepared, packed or fast food for so long, it is easy to not think or miss them. I also, enjoy knowing that the food I eat my body can digest and use for the healing and health of my body... the food is not a detriment to my health.

Great information! Cutting out the prepared/processed foods is job one. But it feels like the stores are offering more of it rather than less. I realize we're busy and are always looking for convenience, but I hate going to Costco and the grocery stores -- even Whole Foods and Trader Joe's -- and seeing so many prepared items. I just want the stuff that actually grows and can be identified.

I'm with you on apples. It's my life's goal to taste every variety. With my luck, I'd sell my house and move to New Zealand then discover I'm unable to find New Zealand apples in the stores. But it still baffles me how it makes more sense to ship apples from the bottom of the planet to our local stores instead of from Washington. Where do the Washington apples go? (New Zealand, perhaps?)

I think I'd better go try one of those Kikus.