Hi,
My blog continues at www.gutsofthematter.com
Please keep visiting!
Aarti
Tuesday, 19 July 2016
Sunday, 10 July 2016
Black garlic
So a mom at school introduced me to Black Garlic.
I'm addicted.
Apparently it can be made at home.
My first effort was burnt to a crisp. I apparently needed to keep checking it towards the end..
The second (using proper, expensive, unbleached, purple garlic) was the perfect texture, no taste :/
I'm the vaguest kind of scientist there is: no notes, no system, just blind trialling.
Third and last batch I'm back to the cheap garlic.
Fingers crossed.
The method I chose from the many available online:
10 days in a rice cooker
Except I only have a pressure cooker (I'm wonderful at following instructions)
I separated each layer using South Indian idli trays.
My wonderful mom friend provided me with two samples.
The first was made by a chef in a restaurant kitchen. The UMAMI flavour was a revelation.
Layers of flavour poured out of each bulb.
The next was made by herself using an old rice cooker.
Much less complexity of flavour, but as you crave that umaminess more and more, you get less and less fussy :)
Well worth a try if you have a spare rice cooker. I might just have to buy one I'm so desperate for more!!
I'm addicted.
Apparently it can be made at home.
My first effort was burnt to a crisp. I apparently needed to keep checking it towards the end..
The second (using proper, expensive, unbleached, purple garlic) was the perfect texture, no taste :/
I'm the vaguest kind of scientist there is: no notes, no system, just blind trialling.
Third and last batch I'm back to the cheap garlic.
Fingers crossed.
The method I chose from the many available online:
10 days in a rice cooker
Except I only have a pressure cooker (I'm wonderful at following instructions)
I separated each layer using South Indian idli trays.
My wonderful mom friend provided me with two samples.
The first was made by a chef in a restaurant kitchen. The UMAMI flavour was a revelation.
Layers of flavour poured out of each bulb.
The next was made by herself using an old rice cooker.
Much less complexity of flavour, but as you crave that umaminess more and more, you get less and less fussy :)
Well worth a try if you have a spare rice cooker. I might just have to buy one I'm so desperate for more!!
Saturday, 2 April 2016
School Holidays and other excuses
Choosing to have a break from the routine that I'd built up over the months was a poor but necessary decision.
I haven't yet mastered the art of getting back on the wagon once you come off. I keep forgetting how hard it is to motivate oneself to limit/restrict/supress your desires.
First it was 'I deserve a break'
Then, my husband was making a major life change and my stomach was in knots.
Of course, school holidays meant another break in routine.
Beach holiday, interstate trip, daughter's 4th birthday party, etc, etc.
UGH.
This is where my frustration levels peak and I start using really derogatory self talk and 'hating on myself'.
When I rediscover my mojo or find a formula for getting back on the wagon I will MOST definitely share!
I haven't yet mastered the art of getting back on the wagon once you come off. I keep forgetting how hard it is to motivate oneself to limit/restrict/supress your desires.
First it was 'I deserve a break'
Then, my husband was making a major life change and my stomach was in knots.
Of course, school holidays meant another break in routine.
Beach holiday, interstate trip, daughter's 4th birthday party, etc, etc.
UGH.
This is where my frustration levels peak and I start using really derogatory self talk and 'hating on myself'.
When I rediscover my mojo or find a formula for getting back on the wagon I will MOST definitely share!
Tuesday, 29 March 2016
The good news....
So, after all these year of trying so so hard; my body has FINALLY started showing change.
2013
I tried major life changes (work, moving interstate).
2014
I tried diet.
I went raw multiple times and even juiced for ten days (including 3 colonics!).
2015
I got an amazing personal trainer.
2016
The change.
I understand that I needed this slow build up. Fast change is not lasting change.
First I had to relearn how to feed myself. In a way that suited my body. Yes, I'd had success with a high protein diet, even as a vegan! Diets work great while you're on it.
But what I needed was a lifestyle change. And the raw vegan lifestyle suits my body to a T. Once I discovered this, I got passionate. Once you find passion, everything else becomes do-able. All the ferments and cultures and sprouts have worked wonders to heal my gut lining and recreate a healthier intestinal microbiota. Which essentially seems to be the most important way to heal all of you including your mind!
The physical training in the gym made me have a purpose. Something I was sorely lacking since getting married and having kids. I finally had a goal. Even though it was a pretty standard, boring one: to look better. I had a community. Being at the gym at the same time each day/week, meant I got to see the same people. I hardly spoke to any of them, but I had a sense of security and comfort in the sameness and routine of it all.
Weight-lifting made my body feel stronger, I loved the rippling of my muscles that I could now actually feel under all that fat.
The BIGGEST change however, came from changing my MINDSET.
Honestly, that is when the weight started finally coming off. I knew the right things to do and I was doing them for the most part and then lapsing from the lack of results, and the frustration.
But when my trainer introduced me to Louise Hay's morning and evening meditations (mainly waking up being grateful) and ESPECIALLY Esther Hicks (living with the flow of life, instead of constant resistance); my life changed.
My mind just settled into the groove that it had been searching for. These people spoke my language!
I made a decision to get off insulin, I went cold turkey. I went raw for close to three months TOO EASY. It was hardly even a challenge really. And physically, finally, the long awaited changes came.
I know raw food isn't for everyone, nor are my motivators going to work for you. But I firmly believe, that mindset is a HUGE part of what creates who we are. Nothing much was changing for me, or at least my mind couldn't SEE the changes, until I opened my mind's eye to looking outwards, instead of inwards.
Am I still raw?
I took a break :( :( and I'm trying hard to get back to raw.
Do I still go to the gym?
As much as I can. even if its just a quick 15 minute walk on the treadmill (I so can't do the outdoors)
Am I super skinny and hot?
Lol. No. I'm back to a size 18 and weigh in the early 90s. But yes, compared to before, I feel like a supermodel :):):)
Am I still insulin free?
The second I eat cooked food I need insulin. As long as I'm raw or eating protein (tofu, nuts) or only basic steamed veg, I don't need insulin. My dependence on the huge doses I took in the past has completely diminished. I am now on a tablet. I still have a long journey ahead of me to reverse my diabetes :). But I feel like at least now, I finally have a map!!
This year I feel like I am creeping even further out of the very thick, strong and protective shell I built for myself. Do I understand why I built that shell? I'm kinda wondering.. do I even need to???!
And finally, some show and tell :):)
My dad's 60th July 2014 February 2016
2013
I tried major life changes (work, moving interstate).
2014
I tried diet.
I went raw multiple times and even juiced for ten days (including 3 colonics!).
2015
I got an amazing personal trainer.
2016
The change.
I understand that I needed this slow build up. Fast change is not lasting change.
First I had to relearn how to feed myself. In a way that suited my body. Yes, I'd had success with a high protein diet, even as a vegan! Diets work great while you're on it.
But what I needed was a lifestyle change. And the raw vegan lifestyle suits my body to a T. Once I discovered this, I got passionate. Once you find passion, everything else becomes do-able. All the ferments and cultures and sprouts have worked wonders to heal my gut lining and recreate a healthier intestinal microbiota. Which essentially seems to be the most important way to heal all of you including your mind!
The physical training in the gym made me have a purpose. Something I was sorely lacking since getting married and having kids. I finally had a goal. Even though it was a pretty standard, boring one: to look better. I had a community. Being at the gym at the same time each day/week, meant I got to see the same people. I hardly spoke to any of them, but I had a sense of security and comfort in the sameness and routine of it all.
Weight-lifting made my body feel stronger, I loved the rippling of my muscles that I could now actually feel under all that fat.
The BIGGEST change however, came from changing my MINDSET.
Honestly, that is when the weight started finally coming off. I knew the right things to do and I was doing them for the most part and then lapsing from the lack of results, and the frustration.
But when my trainer introduced me to Louise Hay's morning and evening meditations (mainly waking up being grateful) and ESPECIALLY Esther Hicks (living with the flow of life, instead of constant resistance); my life changed.
My mind just settled into the groove that it had been searching for. These people spoke my language!
I made a decision to get off insulin, I went cold turkey. I went raw for close to three months TOO EASY. It was hardly even a challenge really. And physically, finally, the long awaited changes came.
I know raw food isn't for everyone, nor are my motivators going to work for you. But I firmly believe, that mindset is a HUGE part of what creates who we are. Nothing much was changing for me, or at least my mind couldn't SEE the changes, until I opened my mind's eye to looking outwards, instead of inwards.
Am I still raw?
I took a break :( :( and I'm trying hard to get back to raw.
Do I still go to the gym?
As much as I can. even if its just a quick 15 minute walk on the treadmill (I so can't do the outdoors)
Am I super skinny and hot?
Lol. No. I'm back to a size 18 and weigh in the early 90s. But yes, compared to before, I feel like a supermodel :):):)
Am I still insulin free?
The second I eat cooked food I need insulin. As long as I'm raw or eating protein (tofu, nuts) or only basic steamed veg, I don't need insulin. My dependence on the huge doses I took in the past has completely diminished. I am now on a tablet. I still have a long journey ahead of me to reverse my diabetes :). But I feel like at least now, I finally have a map!!
This year I feel like I am creeping even further out of the very thick, strong and protective shell I built for myself. Do I understand why I built that shell? I'm kinda wondering.. do I even need to???!
And finally, some show and tell :):)
My dad's 60th July 2014 February 2016
Evolution
My food choices are still the hugest challenge in my goal to reverse my diabetes.
When I take a break from raw, or high raw; it always goes south....and ends up at the inevitable.....
Potato chips...
Bags and bags of them.
However, to be fair, my tastes are changing. Slowly. But surely.
I'm adjusting lifelong recipes. Discovering a wider range of flavours.
I used to demolish litres of yoghurt, kgs of cheese, pots of sour cream. Not organic, not vegan.
Of course, as I started to feel more and more ill from it, I had a battle on my hands to remove the whole range from my life. A battle I am proud to say, after many many years, I'm close to winning.
I just can't quit Demon King PIZZA!!!!!
That's my final dairy frontier.
When I take a break from raw, or high raw; it always goes south....and ends up at the inevitable.....
Potato chips...
Bags and bags of them.
However, to be fair, my tastes are changing. Slowly. But surely.
I'm adjusting lifelong recipes. Discovering a wider range of flavours.
I used to demolish litres of yoghurt, kgs of cheese, pots of sour cream. Not organic, not vegan.
Of course, as I started to feel more and more ill from it, I had a battle on my hands to remove the whole range from my life. A battle I am proud to say, after many many years, I'm close to winning.
I just can't quit Demon King PIZZA!!!!!
That's my final dairy frontier.
Saturday, 17 January 2015
The Good, the Bad and the Bloated
I normally only ever blog when I'm trying to be good.
It sort of defeats the purpose of this blog.
The whole purpose is to chronicle how challenging it is to get on the road of wellness. I have to often seen 'before' and 'after'; but very rarely been exposed to the 'in between' hard yards and failures and intimate details of the desperation.
Last week, my dad visited from interstate. Together we did 7 days of 95% raw. He was probably closer to 100%. And it was easy for me. I hosted 2-3 dinner parties that week. And still ate salad or at worst roast veg while my guests dined on a feast.
And yet, when I went shopping yesterday.... For the first time, my usual size 18 was nowhere near my normal size. Size 18 is huge, depressing and definitely obese. Now, though, I'm buying size 22-24... :o!!!!!!!
I am TERRIFIED.
Fear makes me turn to food.
So I'm just stuffing my face, making myself sick, with disgust and actually physically sick with all the junk I'm consuming.
I should know better than to do this. Food doesn't taste good to me anymore.
I relish and thoroughly enjoying gobbling down a well-dressed salad or a delicious green smoothie (the chia porridge is still a punishment more than a pleasure).
However, my default pizza always leaves me feeling slightly sick.
So I should know better.
My epiphany when I went raw this time, is that I am using food to fill this humongous, bottomless void in me. A void that exists from me not having a goal or purpose in my life. Yes, I am raising two AMAZINGLY beautiful children. But it's not a positive experience for me. It is very stressful and I spend a lot of time berating myself and the kids.
I need to find a way to fill up my love bucket. I need to find and follow my passion.
I'm am trying to think very hard about what it is that I can do. Working outside of the home definitely helps. But I'm not waking up filled with fire and passion about being a retail naturopath.
So I have to think a bit harder.
In the mean time, my ferments and cultures are continuing. My supplements are still being consumed.
KOMBUCHA, I'm still learning!
Water Kefir, yum.
Milk kefir, double yum!
Cultured carrots...oh my Yum!
Cultured radishes, leeks, beet kvass.... All yum!
My personal fave is milk kefir with beet kvass. Tasty.
There is always a major life event distracting me from my goal, or weak idea rather, of losing weight and reversing my diabetes.
But, I guess that just means that I haven't cemented my ideas firmly in the universal consciousness.... I need to learn how to create affirmations and visualise my dreams in more detail, until I create a passion within myself to make my dream a reality.
It sort of defeats the purpose of this blog.
The whole purpose is to chronicle how challenging it is to get on the road of wellness. I have to often seen 'before' and 'after'; but very rarely been exposed to the 'in between' hard yards and failures and intimate details of the desperation.
Last week, my dad visited from interstate. Together we did 7 days of 95% raw. He was probably closer to 100%. And it was easy for me. I hosted 2-3 dinner parties that week. And still ate salad or at worst roast veg while my guests dined on a feast.
And yet, when I went shopping yesterday.... For the first time, my usual size 18 was nowhere near my normal size. Size 18 is huge, depressing and definitely obese. Now, though, I'm buying size 22-24... :o!!!!!!!
I am TERRIFIED.
Fear makes me turn to food.
So I'm just stuffing my face, making myself sick, with disgust and actually physically sick with all the junk I'm consuming.
I should know better than to do this. Food doesn't taste good to me anymore.
I relish and thoroughly enjoying gobbling down a well-dressed salad or a delicious green smoothie (the chia porridge is still a punishment more than a pleasure).
However, my default pizza always leaves me feeling slightly sick.
So I should know better.
My epiphany when I went raw this time, is that I am using food to fill this humongous, bottomless void in me. A void that exists from me not having a goal or purpose in my life. Yes, I am raising two AMAZINGLY beautiful children. But it's not a positive experience for me. It is very stressful and I spend a lot of time berating myself and the kids.
I need to find a way to fill up my love bucket. I need to find and follow my passion.
I'm am trying to think very hard about what it is that I can do. Working outside of the home definitely helps. But I'm not waking up filled with fire and passion about being a retail naturopath.
So I have to think a bit harder.
In the mean time, my ferments and cultures are continuing. My supplements are still being consumed.
KOMBUCHA, I'm still learning!
Water Kefir, yum.
Milk kefir, double yum!
Cultured carrots...oh my Yum!
Cultured radishes, leeks, beet kvass.... All yum!
My personal fave is milk kefir with beet kvass. Tasty.
There is always a major life event distracting me from my goal, or weak idea rather, of losing weight and reversing my diabetes.
But, I guess that just means that I haven't cemented my ideas firmly in the universal consciousness.... I need to learn how to create affirmations and visualise my dreams in more detail, until I create a passion within myself to make my dream a reality.
Sunday, 28 September 2014
A new start....
So, I haven't blogged for a while because I struggle to find the time....and.... Not much different was happening.
Since I fell off the 30 day raw plan I had, I've spent me time eating 'normal' and thinking.
I went back on insulin cos lets face it, my normal diet sucks!
And I did a bit more research.
Kevin Gianni from Renegade Health is an inspiration and a useful source of information.
The things that stood out for me most were:
Most people 'transition' to raw, not just jump in blindly.
100% raw is ridiculously hard to maintain.
(I wish I'd known all this before my attempts, so I wouldn't have ended up feeling like such a failure!)
And raw foodists have massive dental issues from constantly eating as raw food requires copious amounts of chewing to get enough nutrition and food into your system.
Also, each time I tried to go raw, I was
a. Doing it alone, with no help
b. Not doing enough research and planning.
c. Not understanding that going raw for my specific purpose of reversing diabetes would require a specific calorie controlled raw diet. Rather than living on raw desserts!
So my attempts were flawed from the start. But hey! This whole thing is trial and error for me 😄
This time though... I have a plan.
Since I fell off the 30 day raw plan I had, I've spent me time eating 'normal' and thinking.
I went back on insulin cos lets face it, my normal diet sucks!
And I did a bit more research.
Kevin Gianni from Renegade Health is an inspiration and a useful source of information.
The things that stood out for me most were:
Most people 'transition' to raw, not just jump in blindly.
100% raw is ridiculously hard to maintain.
(I wish I'd known all this before my attempts, so I wouldn't have ended up feeling like such a failure!)
And raw foodists have massive dental issues from constantly eating as raw food requires copious amounts of chewing to get enough nutrition and food into your system.
Also, each time I tried to go raw, I was
a. Doing it alone, with no help
b. Not doing enough research and planning.
c. Not understanding that going raw for my specific purpose of reversing diabetes would require a specific calorie controlled raw diet. Rather than living on raw desserts!
So my attempts were flawed from the start. But hey! This whole thing is trial and error for me 😄
This time though... I have a plan.
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