Sasko Sam... you best hide yourself....

Dear Devoted Reader

I seem to have been boldly throwing around the word “Dukan”… and now I’m screwed. Totally  screwed…. Don’t sign up for stuff before you have read the fine print with a telescope… I nodded sagely through “no carbs”, “no alcohol”…. And just lost my $h1t over the idea of “NO FRUIT”…. Say whaaaaaaaaat? What about an apple a day? 5-a-day? Ok, I can eat veggies…. Eventually…. But fruit? We’re looking at 3 months sans fruit and only if I can lose at least 15kg in 3 months.

 (I don’t know how long that apple has been sitting on my desk.... but I just inhaled it)

Brother is doing it with me…. And seems very excited about phase 1… which is where we eat ONLY PROTEIN for 5 days…. I was a vegetarian for 5 years…. Meat-only seems positively criminal. But, what’s that? I could lose 5kgs straight off? *mouth forms into a little O shape*

 People say don’t focus on what you can’t have, look…. You can have low fat bacon

 

*sniffs the air* “BACON?”

 And quark…. “What’s QUARK” …. No-one knows, it must be foreign…. *googles*

 “Oh, it’s a soft cheese… we like cheese….”

We have said we will start on Saturday… so I need to go eat a kilo of apples and the Sasko Sam mascot…..

xxx

PS: I know fad diets are totes un-PC, but this one works and it's only a few months of craziness....

1 week left of the challenge...

1. 25 days done, and I've managed to keep the 2kg off, so it's for real, not just water weight. 
2. I really like the taste of rye and corn cracker bread
3. Brother has stayed wheat free too, so here's to a low-wheat household going forward!
4. Tummy looks flatter, I wish I could say it was happier, but this month has been a bit stressful...

Wicked Wheat

It’s been over 3 weeks of “Wheat-Free October” and admittedly, I did cheat once, on Saturday. We were painting murals all day, I was starving, and I couldn’t just eat viennas, so I ate 2 hot dogs. I was very tempted to just cheat fully with a glass of wine, but was told that wheat was forgivable, while wine is very much not… This month has been pretty hectic with flat buying and what-not… I’ve been dying for a glass of wine… so let’s not discuss wine!

Sans-wheat, I have managed to drop 2kg without actually doing any exercise, so I’ve done some reading.

According to Dr Mark Hyman on the Huffpost Healthy Living Blog, there are 3 ways that wheat makes you fat:

1. It contains a Super Starch -- amylopectin A that is super fattening.
2. It contains a form of Super Gluten that is super-inflammatory.
3. It contains forms of a Super Drug that is super-addictive and makes you crave and eat more.

Apparently it does not only contribute to weight gain, but depression too? Strange because I crave pasta, pizza etc when I’m most down. Think I might have only vaguely touched on it before, but I am depressed – medicated, but it still something that defines me. My emotions effect my stomach, wheat effects my stomach… could I just have been engaged in a crazy vicious circle of abuse to my stomach? It’s definitely something to consider…

I am really determined not to slip into bad habits again, this wheat thing needs to be controlled. I’m considering these two books:

Bread Is The Devil

Wheat Belly

Socially Awkward

Dietary restrictions are socially awkward… not drinking is fine, but wheat free? Over the last week I’ve had to decline so much wheat.

I’m busy with a “charity” project through church; we are painting the outside of a home for young guys. I helped with the prep on Saturday and a selection of muffins was presented as a tea-time treat – I was starving but had to decline.

I had to decline birthday cake and numerous yummy treats… the birthday cake looked amazing… seriously…. A sweet boy did dip a strawberry in the creamy icing for me… (Seriously a good move guys….)

Communion at church was a bit odd too, I suppose it would have been fine to partake, it wasn’t a meal… but I skipped the bread… it just felt weird.

Then comes the big one…. “When Someone Invites You Over For Dinner” – Do I say “no wheat please?” or awkwardly just take a chance? Not everyone I dine with is a close friend who understands my insane challenges. For 5 years I had to tell hosts that I don’t eat meat, is wheat such a bit deal? I know I should avoid it, but I’m not that sure that I feel better for it this time?

I still need to think about my diet going forward… no carbs after 4pm or no carbs during the week are two options to try out next month – but it’s difficult either way.

Maybe it’s my negative flu vibes, but I’m more than over this month’s challenge….

SURVIVAL TIP: Wheat-Free Pizza

I must say, being wheat-free at a music festival is far more difficult than being sober!
I managed to find sushi and fries on the first day. Fortunately after lusting after pizza for the first day, I discovered that Butlers were offering wheat-free pizza! I did have to wait pretty long for my special order and it cost an extra R18... but it made a very tasty brunch :) Bacon, avo and feta of course!
Pizza was a bit expensive as a staple, so tried some chicken 'n rice, Mexican style.... again fries....

It might be wheat-free... but hardly healthy!

I had wheat-free pizza at Obz Cafe last night too - again, R20 extra. I wasn't too pleased to see that my pizza was practically half the size of a wheat pizza.... and more expensive?

Someone else mentioned to me today that junk food is becoming faster and cheaper to make, while healthy options are just increasing in price.... when will we be treated equally or even rewarded for making healthier choices?

I've been wheat-free for 9 days, most people don't understand why I am doing this, while others have already commented on my flatter stomach.... I suppose no one understood why I was vegetarian for 5 years either.... maybe it's just because I can? ;)

Girl Guide Logic...

"Be Prepared"

This is not what I am, somehow this week has run away with me, probably because 2 out of 3 nights I've rushed straight from work to a flat viewing. I slept away my whole Sunday... blah blah, I didn't go shopping, I've been eating soup, popcorn, veggies at home - at work I've managed omlette and baked potato. I am not full, I am hungry.... very very hungry... convenience food all seems to be wheat covered - pasta, pizza, wraps, pies, sandwiches, crumbed.... need I continue? I'm starting to wonder how healthy I've been the last three days???

I am shopping tomorrow night, mostly for Daisies, I really need to make sure I'm properly prepared.... who knows what wheat-free nosh will be available?

"Scout" - Richard Phillips

Dry Daisies....

.... Rocking The Daisies this weekend, and I'm going, and I will be sober!

It's it be fine... totally fine... I might have to tranqualise myself to get any sleep because I won't be under the sleepy spell of savigon blanc. I might starve a bit.... no burger rolls, pizza, sandwiches, pie.... remind me again why I'm doing this in October? Oh, right, because it's NOT easy....

I'm better off planning my festival wardrobe....

WANTED: Wine & Pizza

Arrrrrrrrrgh.... This week is lame and I want my comfort....

I wanted KFC (ok as I type this, I realise the crumbs are illegal), but decided to come home to my veggie soup. I was (still am!) really hungry, so decided to make scrambled eggs with my last two eggs. I opened a bottle of milk yesterday, apparently Best Before 5 October... it smells and tastes fine... who knows because as soon as the scrambled egg mixture bit the pan, my whole kitchen stank... of off milk, not egg.... I am cross.

I was going to start my Zombie training today, but I really don't want to - this week is too busy, I'm starving, I promise.... I will finish Spring Cleaning in lieu of exercise.... promise....

New Name, New Look, New Focus

I have grossly neglected my blog and my challenges, probably because I feel too busy, but perhaps because I wanted to do more than just focus on the challenges... so I present to you "Seriously Sharon?" - which not only covers my mad challenges... but also any stories from my unbalanced existence.

It is almost October again, which brings up the question "To Sober October, or not?" Obviously if I opt out, I look like a total alcoholic. So, I will indeed be doing Sober October again, and adding all of January's resolution goodness in there too... so NO WHEAT EITHER. Indeed.... *rubs invisible beard*

My brother will be Wheat & Alcohol Abhorrent for October too - how sweet. I'm hoping for a repeat of the drastic weight loss from January... my birthday is looming... It's a big birthday... I'd like to be less big... More about that later *shudders*

That covers the upcoming challenge... so how about a story now?

Sharon Runs Out of Petrol (in the rain) (200m from garage) (in traffic)
Need I say more?
Just as I'm thinking,"I will go get petrol, but not at Shell, I don't like Shell", I break down, on an uphill, just after the bridge in Gardens, it is pouring with rain, people are desperate to get home. I vainly attempt to single handily push my car up the incline (yes, it obviously is impossible).

The Strawberry Man comes to my rescue... whilst the Uno is super light on a flat road, it is horrid and lump-like on a incline... the car rolls back 2m... just then, could it be? The ambling frames of two young gentlemen? The three chaps easily push my car out of the way and into a parking. The young gentlemen high-five and all I can sarcastically think is "wow, you are SO strong.... you pushed an Uno". They do ask if I will be ok and then amble off.

Strawberry man seizes his moment to make a sale and cons me into buying his last punnet of over-priced strawberries "It's my last one, then I can go home..." He did offer to go buy my petrol but I was a little bit over him and was sure he'd expect a tip. I am so used to running out of petrol, that I carry a convenient bottle in the boot. So I stomp off towards Shell with my pink 5l bbq sauce bottle, the rain seeping into my very summer inspired outfit and pumps.

After buying my petrol, I could not resist Narona and squelched through the doors, looking like a wet dog. I order a pizza for take away, wiggling my bottle at the cashier and saying "I've got to go sort something out, I will be back"

Armed with a filthy Vida take away cup that I rescued from the gutter and my pink bottle, I squelch back to my car. Just then, Strawberry Man yells across the intersection to ask if I need help. Strawberry Man magically has 4 new punnets of strawberries - I respond by forlornly screeching "you lied to me!!!!!" across the traffic.

Back at the car I fashioned a funnel out of the cup (what a pro!), get most of the petrol into the car, pump the accelerator with all my strength until the Uno roared back to life and speed off. Yes, to get more petrol and my pizza.

The End

xxx

First Healthy Month of 2012 DONE

Wow, my Bumper January has absolutely flown and I feel good about it.

·         I managed 31 days without alcohol – might I add, some stressful days with the new work year!

·         I managed 28 days without pasta… 4 weeks is the same as a month right?

·         I ran/walked 3-4 times a week, even the week where I was dying of shin splints… averaging about 3-4km per session! I’m pretty proud of myself!

Going forward:

·         Drinking will be allowed from Friday night till Sunday afternoon, and no more than 2 units per day

·         Wheat will be very minimal and wheat-free options will be favoured where possible

·         Running will continue to happen…

My body has taken some strain this month, but my tummy, face and arms are notably slimmer and I’ve managed to banish 2kg for good. My doctor is monitoring my weight and I will have a check-up in 2 weeks’ time. Things can only go forward from here!

Confession Time...

For the sake of accountability... On Monday night, I knowingly consumed wheat, in the form of two soya sausages... I broke my challenge in favour of a healthy protein source *hangs head*... I repent...

Wheat Woes... Alcohol Angst

So.... 9 days down... no alcohol, no wheat... noooooooooooooot easy!


I've been so hungry and moody. I've been rubber necking every time I see wine... or baked goods. But my stomach is noticeably flatter, so I am some what motivated to continue. It is just a challenge to get "full", especially seeing as I almost never make rice... and something in the back of my mind says "don't eat your weight in potatoes" - I suppose my suddenly more active life style has something to do with it too...

This is a big challenge... but I'm going to persevere...

There's Wheat in Soy Sauce?

Yes, apparently there is! Which makes my sushi dinner last night a bit of a fail? I think for my sanity and that of anyone that I am around this month - lets say I'm avoiding "obvious wheat" ie. huge hunks of bread?

I went out for lunch yesterday and found it very difficult to choose something other than a salad - the restaurant offered rye bread, but short of having breakfast for lunch, had no sandwiches that could be put on rye - or maybe our waitress was a bit clueless? Nevertheless, I feel for people who are actually allergic to wheat - wheat seems to be lurking around every corner. I spent some time online this morning trying to get some advice about eating out on a wheat-free diet. It seems meat and veg are the way to go? I really don't want to start ordering hot chips every time I go out!
Is there wheat in risotto? oh wait... there's wine in there right? *sigh*

For anyone who stubbles across this post and is looking for real gluten / wheat free advice, try these sites:
http://wheatfreediet.wordpress.com/2007/10/08/eating-out-on-a-wheat-free-diet/
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/socializingwithoutgluten/a/DiningOutTips.htm
http://www.wheat-free.org/blog/archives/44-Eating-out-is-oh-such-fun.html

"Whadda You Mean You Don't Eat No Wheat?"

The idea of avoiding wheat is not a new concept for me - I've never done well with wheat and a few years ago I pretty much cut wheat out of my diet - it was good but for reasons I don't remember I went back to eating wheat... probably around the time I became a vegetarian (that's a whooooole other story and stage of life).

Found this great resouce: http://www.wheat-free.org/recipes.html
I'm keen to try this...

Cheese & Leek Tart
Serves 6

Pastry

180g all purpose wheat free flour
90g low-fat spread, margarine or butter
water to mix

Filling
4 leeks, trimmed and sliced
1 tbsp olive oil

1½ wheat free vegetable stock cubes
100 ml boiling water
200g Greek yogurt (or natural yogurt or fromage frais)
3 large eggs, beaten
100g cheese, grated
black pepper, freshly ground

Preheat oven: 200°C

1. Place the leeks and olive oil in a saucepan and sweat until the leeks are softened.
 

2. Make the strong vegetable stock using the stock cubes and boiling water, pour it over the leeks, simmer the leeks uncovered, stirring regularly until all the stock has been absorbed.

3. Mix the flour and fat until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add water until it binds into pastry.

4. Oil and flour a 20 - 22 cm diameter flan dish.

5. Place the pastry mix into the dish, pressing it around the sides with your hands to make a pastry case. (It will be too fragile to use a rolling pin to roll out)

6. Prick the pastry base with a fork and chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

7. Remove the pastry case from the fridge and place half the cheese in the bottom. Spoon the leeks into the case.

8. Mix the greek yogurt with the eggs and season. Pour over the leeks.

9. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 35 minutes until golden brown on top and firm.