Candle Cafe West

I really over did it Sunday night. My husband and I celebrated my one year free of antibiotics and steroids with dinner at Candle Cafe West. We each had two drinks at a nearby bar before dinner. By the time we hit the restaurant, he was starving and so was I. We began with the nachos. I had the seitan and tofu placed on the side. The chips were covered in slightly spicy beans, a tapioca cheese and guacamole. It was so filling that I probably could have called it quits right then. But not me.

Next the Paradise Casserole– layers of sweet potato, millet and black beans over fresh steamed greens. The sweet potatoes were infused with cinnamon. The scent was amazingly fragrant kind of like paradise. I ate the entire dish minus a few greens. My husband had the Grilled Seitan Burger. Messy but yummy. At this point I was definitely full. However that didn't stop me from sharing a slice of the vegan carrot cake with my husband. I had been having a few good sinus days so I felt like I could handle a little gluten. 

The cake didn't disappoint. I'm not sure if the icing is made from coconut but it tasted like classic cream cheese icing. On top of the icing was a carrot glaze swirl. Something you don't see on non-vegan versions. I can't recall the last time I had cake. Since going g-free and eating mainly whole foods, cake rarely comes my way. I tend to rely on a little organic dark chocolate or a raw truffle for a sweet fix. 

My body took the gluten in stride. I find that when I'm feeling well, I can get away with a small amount of certain offending foods as long as get right back to my vegan, g-free, food-sensitivity free diet. 

When we finished dinner we had a nice 15 block walk home in the rain. It was a good way to burn a calorie or two after such a filling meal. I can't wait to go again. 

Hallelujah!

Friday I received the results of my blood test. I had retaken the test since my results from Feb were scary awful. Also, I hadn't fasted before the Feb test. I had been at the doctor following up on allergy related stuff when he suggested I get a full blood panel. The nurse hadn't thought the fruit smoothie I drank before the test would affect things. Boy was she wrong.

For the past ten years my cholesterol has hovered in the 170 to 188 range. I've never had an awful reading. Since I've given up all animal-based foods I expected my cholesterol numbers to be sparkling. The results:

Total Cholesterol: 153
HDL Cholesterol:   82
LDL Cholesterol:    64
Triglycerides:          34

Wowsers! I've never seen such great numbahs in my life. If anyone is considering giving up meat, fowl, fish, and cheese for health reason or dramatically cutting back, I strongly encourage it.

Also, my sodium was in a normal range at 140. Back in Feb it was 153. My doctor asked if I had exercised before my test back in February. I had visited the gym that morning. She said exercise can cause an elevated sodium reading.

Another interesting number I found on my results is ph. Mine is 7.5, which means I'm alkaline. Many books I've read on wellness have stressed how a plant-based diet makes one more alkaline. And when you're more alkaline, you're less likely to get sick. Other than my allergy flare-ups, I haven't been hit with any week-long colds this year.

There has definitely been a learning curve with figuring out what to eat as a vegan. At this point, I feel like I've really hit my stride. I can easily figure out what dishes to make to have for multiple lunches and dinners. I know what items I need to keep stocked in the kitchen. And which chocolates are vegan.

Sick Signs Mean Healthy

Currently, I'm totally absorbed in Fasting and Eating for Health by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. It's my Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I highly recommend the book. One passage I found incredibly enlightening is about toxicosis, which is the retention by the body of elements that are foreign to normal cellular function.

Something that really annoys me is being jammed into a crowded, sweaty subway train. The train is so tight that my left elbow is wedged between my back and some guy's buttocks. And then someone nearby begins coughing uncontrollably. I can see the germs serpentining around all the people and finding a way inside my nose.

The book highlights the fact that the coughing I find so annoying is actually a sign of health. It's the body's way of keeping the lungs clear. The book elaborates:

A healthy body may cough, sneeze, develop a fever or a rash, and even produce mucus (my specialty) or diarrhea in its attempt to rid the system of unwanted retained waste.

Haven't you always wondered why you get diarrhea? It's just the body's way of saying, "Get the hell out!" Makes it seems ok unless you're on an airplane or out of toilet paper.

Another interesting point the book makes is that often chronic smokers will say they feel fine. They exhibit no symptoms of coughing or trouble breathing. It's when they stop smoking that they begin to feel bad, by developing a cough and lots of mucus. This is the body's way of cleansing itself once given a chance to focus energy of this task.

I still don't feel good about people coughing or sneezing on crowded trains. However, lately I feel better defended from sickness. I think my combination of ingesting more greens either in juice or food plus a vegan diet is equipping my body with an arsenal of antioxidants and other goodies. So grab your green tea or green juice and jump on the nearest crowded train.

The 30-Day Vegan Challenge

I recently finished reading The 30-Day Vegan Challenge. The book outlines in steps how to transition from a meat and dairy based diet to one revolving around fruits, veggies and grains. The book is full of beautiful food porn, a multitude of vegan recipes and easy to digest information and advice. Every time my son saw the book he'd say about the author's cover photo, "That's mommy's friend." The author, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, is a sparkling example of a vibrant, healthy and passionate woman.

As I read the book there was one phrase that made me cringe. The author referred to eating dairy, butter and cheese as animal secretions. While it's true that these foods are secretions, I think this word is gross and off-putting. I like to think, as Anthony Bourdain often says, that the dinner table is the great equalizer. As long as a restaurant offers a menu that caters to veggie and meat eaters alike, that everyone can dine together and get along. If I were to use the term secretions, I think my cheese-eating friends would feel pretty uncomfortable.

I understand that the author is trying to make the point that we tend to disassociate chicken tenders from the living, breathing animal that the crumb-covered nuggets come from. She also points out that for a cow, goat or sheep to supply milk, it has to be pregnant. These animals are impregnated yearly and their calves are taken from them immediately. Truly upsetting. The book paints a vivid picture and then offers an alternative diet along with recipes.

I didn't originally adopt a vegan diet for ethical reasons. I did it because dairy makes me incredibly sick. As I educate myself about the differences between the Standard American Diet and a plant-based one, it becomes easier for me to associate a block of cheese with an animal doped up on hormones and antibiotics, who has basically no freedom to enjoy life or even to nurse and love her own baby.

The Lunch That Didn't Happen

One of the things I've been looking forward to during my week-long break from work is lunch at Peacefood Cafe. The restaurant is 100 percent vegan. They press their own made to order fresh juices, make interesting smoothie combinations, offer raw and cooked entrees and have many gluten free options. Also, it's delicious. My husband and I walked in today. Well, we attempted to walk in. There was such a big crowd waiting for a table that we could barely fit. It was like trying to get on the 2 train on a Monday morning. Somehow we managed to squeeze in where we realized that the wait for a table could easily be an hour long. We just weren't up for or expecting a que.

While I was bummed out that I didn't get to have lunch at one of my favorites spots, I was happy to see that a vegan restaurant was booming. All I can say is we need more spots like Peacefood Cafe. On my way out, I caught sight of the gluten free pumpkin loaf. Life is so unfair.

Glutinous Insurgents

Lately, I've been experiencing a lot of rumbling, pinging and other strange occurrences coming from my abdominal area. It's like a monster truck show is going on in my intestines. I remember before I switched my diet from glutinous and animal-based to gluten-free vegan that every afternoon I had major gas and bloatedness. Basically, I looked pregnant. Pregnant with a gaseous monster.

I reflected upon my diet, which is totally gluten free. Well, I thought totally gluten free. I think I singled out the possible culprit. I believe the source of my discomfort could be the organic oatmeal I've been eating in the morning. Oatmeal is one of those controversial foods simply because by nature it doesn't contain gluten. But oatmeal is grown in fields adjacent to the evil wheat. Also, it's a rotation crop meaning it's grown on soil that also grows wheat, barley and rye certain times of the year. So contamination in the field is one issue. Secondly, some oats are processed in facilities where wheat or other glutinous grains are handled. Again, contamination.

The solution: Glutenfreeda Oatmeal!

The oats in this box are grown on oats members only soil. No glutinous outsiders. And these oats have their very own exclusive processing facility that boasts a huge "Gluten Keep Out" sign. Hopefully, no belly swell or strange noises from the nether regions today. I'll be sure to keep you posted on my progress.

My Latest Vegan, Gluten-free Breakfast

My new breakfast invention isn't actually so new. Actually, it could be labeled lazy. The centerpiece of it is cold oatmeal. That's right, I pour a bag of instant gluten free oats into a bowl. Next, I add about a tablespoon of ground flax meal and about half a cup of Erewhon gluten free brown rice cereal. On top of this, I stir in chopped apple or pear plus banana. Additional add-ins include cacao nibs, goji berries  and dried cherries. I top it all off with organic rice milk. I love it.

I had been making hot oatmeal, which I had to add agave too.  The hot stuff got boring fast and the taste became almost icky. I find that eating it cold, tastes better and requires zero agave. You could toss in nuts, a sprinkle of cinnamon or other spice of choice or berries. If you're feeling really wild, a few Enjoy Life chocolate chips are a nice treat too.

About half an hour before eating the cereal, I have a glass of green juice. I try to always quick-off my day on an alkaline note. Pretty soon after arriving at work, things usual go acidic anyway.

Delicious Allergens

My health continues its back and forth dance. This is a true test of perseverance. Definitely visiting my parents and being around old eating habits was one of my biggest tests. I grew up in a home that had a huge clear glass cookie jar. Instead of the jar being filled with cookies, there were miniature sized candy bars. But back then the minis were more mega-sized. Three Musketeers, M&Ms, Krackel bars, Almond Joy and Milky Way.

During my past visit home, my mom actually had cookies and cake. All of which contain numerous delicious allergens. Overall I did pretty well abstaining. One evening I lost control. I sampled cakes that mom had picked up from a local bakery and revisited my favorite cookies. That evening I didn't sleep well. The next day I awoke with a dull headache, congestion and overall foggy feeling. Between the sugar, gluten and dairy, I guess it was too much. Could I have used up all my sugar cards from over consumption as a kid? Do we all just get so many that our body can handle and after that it's do or die? I managed to balance out my day with a green smoothie and a fresh green juice from Earthfare.

The other hiccup from my mini-vacation were the flights. It used to be when I flew my ears would experience a little congestion, but once I landed it all cleared up. Now, I get intense ear congestion and pain that lasts up to 36 hours after the flight. If anyone has any suggestions or remedies, I'm all ears.

Mom promised that for the next visit she'll attempt to make a low-sugar, gluten and dairy-free cookie. I think I can't wait. Hmm...although Peacefood Cafe has a darn delish gluten free, vegan chocolate chip cookie. So, maybe there is hope in a cookie jar. (One that looks like Mr. T would be truly sweet.)