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"When what you are fighting is not the enemy, surrender is victory, not defeat"

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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Bandwagons

I really hate it when people say, "Oh, so you jumped on that bandwagon."  They almost sound like they are just waiting for you to fall off and they want to enjoy the satisfaction of you not staying on the bandwagon like it is some horrible place to be and they doubt you could tough it out anyway.  I guess it does seem like a lot of people are falling off bandwagons.  I suppose it depends on what the bandwagon is.

 

What is my issue with the bandwagon anyway?  If the bandwagon is a positive choice, then why do I not like being told that I jumped on it.  I think it is because it implies that I am a follower and just jumped on it because everyone else does.  And then people fall off it and jump on the next bandwagon that comes along.  The thing is, if I am going to jump on a bandwagon then I am going to observe it for a while, study it, make sure that it is the bandwagon for me.  I may even study so long that I miss the bandwagon completely.  Other bandwagons don't interest me at all.  I don't follow lightly, but I am not much of a pave the way sort of person either.


With my recent health issues I have done a lot of research, which is very difficult considering some of the crap they print on the internet.  You have to find the information and then you have to make sure that the information isn't made up by some idiot for the purpose of misleading the populace.  So exhausting.  Anyway, I have done a lot of research on some of the health issues that I have and the impact that food has on them. 


So, the bandwagon I suppose I am jumping on is the quasi Paleo/Eat Real Food movements.  I got kind of upset when someone told me that I was "jumping on a bandwagon"...I am telling them that I am eating less processed food, more fruits, vegetables, and lean meat.  It is actually a lifestyle that makes sense to me.  Unlike some of the strange fads like eat only cabbage for 10 days or whatever else someone makes up. 

Why Quasi?  I have one leg hanging off the bandwagon cause there are just some things I refuse to take out of my diet completely...ex: cheese, wine, cheese and wine, etc.  I have begun my journey to eat better and you know what...it is a pain in my bahonkus.  I have gotten so used to convenience foods, that cooking all this real food is an adjustment.  I have to put more thought into meals, I have to clean more dishes...but you know what:
I feel better! 
And the only meal that I have changed is breakfast.  I figured it would be easier if I changed one meal at a time.  I have more energy and less reflux. I have made some easy, awesome tasting stuff that doesn't make me regret eating it later.  It's great!

 

I guess if eating real food is a bandwagon then I will encourage you to hop on...the view is kinda cool from up here...and you can come join me in my little corner of the bandwagon if you want...



I got the cheese and wine.  Shhhhhh...don't tell anyone, they might kick us off!

12 comments:

  1. I'll jump on. But can you grab my hand as you drive by and pull me up?? :)
    So can you share what you are eating/recipes? You can email me if ya want.
    I've been thinking about doing the same thing for a little while. I exchanged some recipes with a blogger friend. After I sent her a few, she let me know she doesn't use 'prepared' food. Like cream of chicken soup. It to me to thinking about my food choices and I how I could make better choices. So this post comes at a great time. :)

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    1. Sure Sarah! I can pull you up and hold you on for the adjustment period...cause it is a little rough:) I was worried my cereal, waffle, pop tart eating kids would complain but they have enjoyed everything so far. I have only done breakfast so I have done yogurt smoothies with frozen fruit, organic nonfat vanilla yogurt, and a little milk. I have made these zucchini egg pancakes...yummy!!http://crossfitfenrir.com/quick-paleo-breakfast-options/
      Levi ate them with salsa...cause that's how he rolls and I had cut up cherry tomatoes (the kids had plan scrambled eggs:)) Then I made these and everyone loved them:http://paleospirit.com/2012/basic-paleo-egg-muffins/
      Instead of oil...I just used Pam:) Baby steps:) Good luck! I will share some more as I keep going!
      Hugs,
      Bea

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    2. Oh and I found this website today...looks interesting:
      http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/

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    3. MMMMMM - thank you very much! You're going to be my support for a while. Aren't you lucky?!?!?!?

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    4. I have a feeling we may have to support each other...I am not a morning person and have already grumbled at having to cook so early:) Make sure I don't jump off...just hand over the coffee and I should improve:)

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  2. I am so on this bandwagon with you Bea. Whole foods, lean meat, all in moderation. Around here we have been eating "well" for quite some time but we just eat too much of all the good things. We are working on it. :)

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    1. Does it get easier? Tell me it gets easier!!:)

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    2. Some days I do great and others I not so much. I actually have weeks during my cycle when I could care less about food and other ones where I could eat anything in sight. Consistency is hard for me.

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  3. I have been working on this too for quite some time. I go in phases with doing really well and phases of going back to what is quick and convenient. But I am trying make more mindful choices and eat more whole foods and find a balance. Sometimes as you know it is a struggle, but I will continute to work at it because I know it does make me feel better. I love the 100 days of real food website and they have lots of great recipes. One of my favorite breakfast for myself is quinoa/oatmeal with sauteed apples and pecans/walnuts and cinnamon. Or plain whole milk yogurt (no sugar) with blueberries and slivered almonds (I had to work up to the plain by adding a little maple syrup at first to sweeten it but now I like it and the whole milk is much creamier and I have read alot about healthy fats). So I am taking the journey with you. What I have discovered is eating healthy takes a lot of time and effort...but I am hopeful of its benefits... :-)

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    1. It is amazing how good I feel already and I am actually less hungry! And the only thing I have changed is breakfast, but we are so busy and it is a challenge to plan and prepare...hoping that it gets a little easier:)
      Bea

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  4. We follow something similar too. I eat a lot of eggs, meats, not nearly enough veggies though, and rarely eat flour and never buy bread. Snacks still have dairy often, but mostly pretty good. We've all liked this change and have very stable blood sugar and routinely are fine missing meals if need be (happens due to the pace of life). Glad you're finding something that works for you! Sarag Fergosa's (spelled wrong probably) Everyday Paleo book has tons of great recipes.

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    1. I am amazed at how I already feel better even though I have only changed breakfast so far. I am also not hungry! But it is a challenge to plan and prepare and I will probably have to go to the store more often for the fresh fruits and veggies. If I feel this good though, it will be worth the effort. The kids have been strangely excited about breakfast...they love bacon and eggs:) I am tackling snacks next...that is a tough one as we are on the go a lot! Any ideas would be appreciated.
      Bea

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