Keep on keeping on

I am on my fourth week of my Eat to Live diet and feeling great! So far I've lost 11.5 pounds! Yea! To make it a complete make-over I also started a 90-day schedule to finish the Book of Mormon, and a 12 week triathalon training program. So by the time I go to California in August I will be my new self physically and spiritually.

When I first started my diet I felt overwhelmed by a vegan diet. I mean if you are not eating meat or dairy, what ARE you eating?!! At first I just stuck with meals I already knew and just modified them a bit. I made my favorite split pea soup and just didn't add the ham. I made Red Beans and Rice and only put sausage in Jeff's and the kids' portions. I made bean burritos and left out the cheese and sour cream and added avocado and lots of veggies instead.

We made some other changes as well. We found fabulous whole wheat tortillas at Costco that we love and made the switch to brown rice or wild rice, and soy milk. Instead of having cereal for breakfast I now have Old Fashioned Oats cooked in water, sprinkled with dried blueberries and Craisens, which Carter LOVES (although in Carter's I add lots of butter and little whole milk with the dried fruit). Or I just have a whole grapefruit or some other fruit. Surprisingly the fruit usually holds me till lunch just as well as oatmeal.

I've found some new recipes that I love also. Wild Red Beans, Chickpea and Cauliflower Curry and Robin's Granola, from my friend Robin's website, who started me reading Eat to Live in the first place. Roasted Carrots with Cumin and Lime is also a new favorite. Just the other night I made Golden Mushroom, Pea and Asparagus Risotto which was also delicious (although I'm not sure risotto is a whole grain, but I tried it anyway).

All in all, we're eating a lot more salads, vegetables, and beans. I feel full and satisfied after every meal and don't really have many cravings. I still often want something sweet after dinner but if I really want something I'll have some fruit or a bowl of granola. One night I made a Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie which was amazing, but it can only be a once in a while treat!

Well, I'm halfway through my six week program and over halfway to my goal of losing 20 pounds! Here's to keeping on...