Swiss Chard

The following instructions are for preparing the chard in 2 batches, as it is quite bulky until its cooked down.  If you have a very large wok or skillet. 

1 1/2 lbs swiss chard
2 to 3 tbs olive oil
6 medium clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbs. balsamic or red wine vinegar

1)  Coarsely chop the chard ( include as much of the stems as feastible )

2) Heat a wok or a large heavy skillet.  Add 1 tbs. olive oil and half the chard.  Turn up the heat, and  stir-fry for several minutes.  When the chard begins to be limp, add half the garlic, and stir-fry for just a few minutes more.

3) Transfer to a platter or bowl.  Sprinkle lightly with salt ,heavily with pepper, and toss with 1 tbs vinegar.

4) Repeat with the remaining half of the ingredients.  Taste to adjust seasoning. ( you may wish to add a little more olive oil.) Serve hot, cold or at room temperature.

March Hare

3 cups cottage cheese
2 tbs toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup lightly toasted sunflower seeds
1 medium carrot, diced very small
1 medium-sized ripe tomato, diced
1 small bell pepper -any color- minced
1 stalk of celery ,diced
1/2 cup (packed) finely minced parsly
1 small cucumber -peeled , seeded and minced
 a handful or 2 of alfalfa sprouts
2 to 3 tbs fresh lemon juice
salt (optional) & black pepper ( to taste)
1 to 2 hard boiled eggs, chopped


combine and chill for 15 minute

White Rabbit salad

3 cups cottage cheese
1 to 2 tbs honey
2 to 3 tbs lemon juice
1/4 cup (packed) raisins or currants
1/2 cup chopped, toasted nuts
1 tbs flax seeds
2 medium-sized tart apples, diced
 Plus many options
fresh peach slices
fresh pear slices
seedless red or green grapes
orange sections
chunks of ripe honeydew or cantaloupe

Combine everything and chill for 15 minutes

Day 5

Today is a much better day.  I got on the scale and I've lost 33 pounds since April 9th.  20 more pounds and I will be under 200 pound's.  On June 18 I'm going to Houston for Shawn's birthday present from my best friend Brenda and I. We're going to a resort with horse back riding and jet ski, my goal is to be able to wear tank tops and a full piece bathing suit comfortably and also take lots of photos that I'm no dreading taking.  And with GOD and good smoothies I will reach that goal. I do know that I noticed I need to work on my discipline level with in myself.  I didn't do so good on the walking this week.  And I haven't come up with a workout plan. But I'm going to do that today.  So have a blessed and fulfilling day.

YUMMY CHICKPEA TACOS

garlic & chive hummus

1 can garbanzo beans, drained, save liquid
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
3-5 chives, finely chopped
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

combine beans, garlic, chives, oil, and salt in food processor until smooth.  If needed, add a small amount of saved liquid from garbanzo beans to adjust consistency.  Serve with pita, crackers, olives and cucumbers.

chickpea tacos

15 ounces chickpeas, rinsed and peeled
3 tablespoons hummus
1/2 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoon garlic gold
chili powder, sprinkled

combine chickpeas, hummus, lime juice and garlic.  Spread on baking sheet and sprinkle with chili powder.  Bake @ 375 for 20 minutes.

Spabettie.com

Not such a good day

Yesterday I didn't feel good at all. I didn't eat very much and then went off my plan by eating mini raviolis. They were good but I wish I hadn't eaten them.  Today, I'm still in a lot of pain due to my mouth so I haven't really eaten til I got home from work and ate celery, grapefruit, nonfat yogurt, and a small potato.  I'm going to the park but don't know if I'm going to walk.  So til next time and hopefully I feel better.

Darla's Charkra Salad

 DARLA"S CHAKRA SALAD

with affirmations of  empowerment

1 stalk romaine lettuce
1 cup blueberries
1 cup shredded carrots
1 avocado cut in chunks
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
2 medium tomatoes
1 cup sliced zucchini squash
1 handful sunflower sprouts
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 cup shredded purple cabbage
1/4 cup shredded beets
drizzle raw organic olive oil

HOLD HANDS OVER SALAD AND REPEAT:

As I eat this salad it restores and strengthens all my chakras so I can be strong to love myself and others.

I' am rooted

I' am full of vitality

I' am powerful

I' am loving 

I surrender

I see things clearly

I' am connected to the divine source

THIS IS THE RECIPE THAT I'M STARTING WEEK 2 WITH FOR DINNER ON DAY 8
recipe that my whole family can enjoy  with me on my journey

Day 2

Today i slept in late but i really needed the rest. Started my morning out with a diabetic smoothie.  For the last hour Ive been coping recipes from a great book Smoothie Formulas Written by Jeff  Primack & Qigong Familly.  I'm going to use some of the recipes to make my menu for week 2.  Next week I get to start introducing my body to other foods not just in smoothie form. I'm still doing smoothies daily for the next 30 days. But next week my mom, son, and younger brother will be eating some of the recipes in the dinner as well. If i wasn't hurting so bad today from other health issues I overall would feel great. Write back later in the day so goodbye for now.

The beginning

On April 9,  I went to my new job at Denny's in Waco, not know that what was to come would change my thinking, my eating and the path that I was walking. I started feeling bad and became disoriented. I became very pale and had to take a minute. But the minute didn't shake the feelings that I was feeling. My sugar level was at 352, later i found out that it had been running that high for awhile in order for me to get to the stage I was in, and my body began to shut down. By time I got to my aunt and uncles house I had already gotten in a comatose state. My aunt gave me a drink, all veggies, that saved my life by dropping my sugar level. Within days my cousin started me on Juice Plus, a clay bath and diabetic smoothies. The smoothies didn't taste good but if i had it to do all over again, I would drink them again. And in fact, I'm doing a 7 day smoothie diet that includes the same smoothies that I drank a month ago. I' am 32 pounds lighter after 5 weeks of watching what I eat and drinking smoothies. Starting Today, May 14, 2012, I starting my 30 day plan. Which includes 7 days of nothing but smoothies and fruit and vegetable snacks. Week 2, I will add in beans for protein and other healthy foods. But I will remain on the smoothies and stay on no meat and very little dairy. Week 3, I'm going to add in small amounts of meat. Week 4, my menu will consist of a healthy balance of smoothies, fruits, vegetables, meats, and other sources of  healthy nutrients. I'm transforming all my eating habits into healthy eating and finding a balance that will also be right for my 3 year old son. In week 2, Shawn, my son will also begin taking Juice Plus as a daily supplement. Today, day 1, I'm feeling a little hungry yet I am sticking to my guns and following the striecked guidelines that I have set for myself along this path that I have chosen t to take. For the next 30 days I have also designed a workout plan that includes walking for an hour a day, which my family are joining in on. In the end of this I will have gain control of my life, my health and my body. And i feel excited, nervous yet ready to take on anything that comes my way during this journey.  On April 9 i weighed 263. Today I weigh 231. And I know the pounds will continue to come off now that I'm taking control of my diabetes. Honestly, I'm very thankful that God has open my heart and mind to a new way of living because obviously the old way was not working out very well for me. Tell next time, Goodbye and God bless