Looking Back

So re-evaluation has begun on the kicking of processed food.  There were a few things I just could not drop completely.  Mayo, ketchup, and light margarine were the ones that really crept up.  I did limit what I used them on and did try to use other options most of the time but sometimes, you just have to have mayo (think potato salad, cole slaw, etc!).  And I found using real butter on toast to be somewhat extravagant and very honestly fattening!  But for the most part, I did walk away from most processed foods.  And I do feel far better.

So I did find that occasionally I just couldn't keep all processed food from my diet.  My kids love sausage (as in smoked sausage) and I occasionally did give in.  Case in point was my birthday dinner.  It was so very good and a great new recipe but it did have sausage in it.  I did limit what I did eat.  I have found though when I have strayed that most times I am okay unless I really over do it.  As in eat a few different processed foods in one day.  The other night it was just Sawyer and I for dinner-- we had been at baseball practice until fairly late and we both were starving.  I had bought the kids some chicken nuggets and tater tots at the store.  They were quick and actually tasted very good.  Until about half an hour after I finished.  Blah.  Stomach ache city and a night spent in the bathroom.  Not good.  Even the next day things didn't settle well.  So I believe moderation is the key!

One of the most difficult things for me to give up was flavored coffee creamer.  I absolutely loved my coffee creamer and so enjoyed each morning's cup of coffee (or two or three!).  After looking at the label I knew it was something that had to go.  I tried dried creamer but after reading that label I knew that had to go as well.  So I found some fat free half and half.  It was okay.  Well maybe not even that good.  Milk was worse.  I would drink my coffee in the morning but no longer enjoyed it.  This week I decided to break down and buy flavored creamer.  Yum!  I love mornings again.  I love my coffee again.  So far so good- I haven't had any negative reactions.

In conclusion, I think that moderation is going to be the key.  I will stay away from most processed and fast food.  Occasionally a treat won't hurt me but I shall continue to re-evaluate and I hope to find new things to take the place of the processed foods I do continue to use.  I am a work in progress......and I shall enjoy my creamer while I can!

Time to re-evaluate!

Okay-- after doing very well with my "new" diet and feeling much better I do have to say that I am disappointed.  Not in feeling better but because I have not lost one tiny pound.  I really thought that throwing out all that artificial crud would help my body and get it so it would drop some of this weight.  Instead I have found that my stomach is actually more bloated than than normal.  What is up with that?  I eat healthy and my stomach bloats?  So now is the time I need to re-evaluate.  I miss my coffee creamer.  I never did completely give up mayo and ketchup.  Is this the issue or is there something else at work?  No easy answers- and since no one can tell me what is wrong health wise I am on this road alone I guess.  Will keep everyone posted--