This Chickie

Instead of Mashed Potatoes try Mashed Cauliflower

1.  Steam cauliflower until tender.

2.  Add a bit of salt and white pepper to taste.  Butter is optional but if you want that extra treat.

3.  Mash all together and eat. 

4.  Delicious! 

5.  One cauliflower can feed about 4 people (depending on portion sizes).

Note:  The consistency is almost like mashed potatoes but don’t nervous if it’s a little bit more watery.  It’s just the water from the vegetable.

Did you know? 

Cauliflower is a vegetable that is many times overlooked. It is a member of the cruciferous family, a family which is known for containing nutrients that fight against several diseases.

In research done at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, lowered the occurance of  breast tumors in lab animals by almost 40%. Toxins that would normally damage the cells and turn cancerous, are swept out of the system by sulforaphane (found in cauliflower), preventing tumors before they begin. 13C (also found in Cauliflower) works in concert with the sulforaphane by acting as an anti-estrogen. Estrogen in high levels is known to foster tumor growth, especially in the breasts and the prostate glands. 13c helps to lower the estrogen count, thus lowering the chances of tumor growth.

Cauliflower also contains vitamin C and folate. Folate helps the blood work more efficiently and is often recommended for preventing anemia. Folate is also essential for proper tissue growth and not getting enough can make you succeptible to many diseases down the road such as cancer and heart disease. Vitamin C is considered an antioxident. When used alongside other antioxidents such as vitamin E and betacarotene, you can keep your immune system strong.

Three florets of cauliflower a day will provide you with 67% of your daily vitamin C requirement. When purchasing cauliflower, make sure the tops are white. If the floret has begun to spot brown or puple, it is past its nutritional peak. Serving the cauliflower raw will give you the highest nutritional benefits, however, if you must cook it, lightly steamed will also keep its cancer-fighting components intact.

Have you ever been in that moment where you are numb and in an emotional void? That happens to me sometimes when I’m in my “binge phase”. Should I call it that? I don’t force down hoards of food but I do eat more “bad” foods than my body can really handle. I suppose you could say my binges are high in fat, high in sugar, and usually larger quantities that have now become more of a norm than the exception. I’m embarassed to even admit to these bad habits but I must be honest on this path to good health. I’ve been denying that my problems exist, probably because of the emotional void I put myself into when binging.

Diet in, diet out, diet in, diet out… that’s the cycle. I diet, I fail, I diet, I fail. It’s no wonder I’m the weight and size that I am. This pattern was established at a very young age and only worsened as I got older and grew into an adult. Now, it’s not only habit it’s part of me. A part I no longer want to be a member of.

I want to be healthy. I want to be able to shop in normal stores and wear respectable clothing sizes. I want to be free of worry that I may be at risk of many diseases and disorders because of my obesity. I want to smile and feel happy because I have successfully caused change in my life and reached the lifelong goal of being “normal”. I want to have grin lines that reveal the joy I yearn to feel.

I hate the word diet. “Diet” sounds temporary; a quick fix. I’ve never been good at it as it’s only led to failure in the past. But, I love the word “Healthy”. It’s a lifestyle. It’s strength, self control, energy, life. Healthy means no more extra doctor visit, only the yearly exams to keep me maintained. It means my mother will no longer complain about my size, my saggy boobs, the abnormality of my waist circumference, and the embarrassment of my walking out in public. Healthy means being attractive to other people but more importantly comfortable in my own skin. I can’t wait to be healthy. To get there, I have to first put healthy into my body.

To be healthy. Fresh vegetables, fruit, lean meats, water, healthy fats, nutritious foods packed with vitamins; natural and organic. Little to no sugar, minimal white carbohydrates, unwanted fats, sodas, processed foods. Physical activity is key to keeping my bones strong, my muscles functioning, and the fat burned off. To be healthy also means skincare, haircare, and keeping my teeth clean. It is just as important for me to keep my emotional self healthy with spiritual care, building relationships with family members as well as expanding but nurturing friendships, and intellectual stimulation through reading, puzzles, conversations, volunteering, traveling. There is so much to live for.

Be Inspired.

Be Yourself.

Take action.

I can’t believe I’m wide awake. It’s 3 and I should be sound asleep right now. I usually have no problems sleeping but tonight was an exception. Insomnia! I have insomnia. I layed in bed thinking and thinking and thinking…. then the thinking led to more thinking which in the end cause great frustration and worry. I got up and read for a bit. Went back to bed. Got up and stretched. Went back to bed. Got up and actually pulled on workout clothes and a jacket to go for a walk outside thinking maybe it would tire me. And here I sit in front of my computer waiting for morning to come. Now I worry, because I’m supposed to get up for work in an hour or so. Don’t know how I’ll get through a work day without sleep. This is bad! I’m worried about work, which I hate. I’m worried about my health, which is failing. I’m worried about my fat because it’s causing my health to worsen and sucking the life out of me (literally and metaphorically). Life feels like it’s passing me by and I’m not an active participant in it. When did this start happening? I’m only in my 30’s.

Deep down in all of these layers of worry, frustration, and disappointment is that little voice telling me “you are worth the effort. Put those running shoes on, grab that carrot stick and bottle of water and hit the road girlie. It is time to take action and charge of your life. Don’t let the fat ruin it.”