X squared

The previous post was last edited on November 19th...

So, let's catch up.

In December my biggest Christmas gift was my second round with the flu this year. I lost 10 pounds in six days and came out of it so starving that I decided to start eating everything again.

Gluten and meat and dairy, oh my. The eating got worse and with it the eating problems. Food expenditures on take out and ice cream this past month have been outrageous. I'm up about 13 pounds from my lowest and feel like garbage. So, I'm making a commitment to give up some things and welcome in others- a little dietary negotiation.

Bye-bye list:

Prepackaged foods

Dairy

Gluten

Potatoes

Coffee

Sugar

Sugary fruits

All meat except for special occasion list

Special Occasion list:

Duck

Ham

Jamón (there's a difference)

Steak

Seafood

Welcome list:

Beans

Rice

Vegetables

Bitter flavors

Spices. Lots of spices.

My digestive track needs a break... So does my budget.

My first culinary adventure on this new path is kitchari.

I found recipes for this Ayurvedic staple on websites dedicate to Ayurvedic eating- healing yourself by balancing your constitution (pitta, vata or kapha) with easily digestible food.

So, what did I eat today?

Kitchari: this weeks' recipe is basmati rice, mung beans, cumin, coriander, mustard seeds (brown and yellow), cinnamon, fennel, ginger, kombu and seven cups of veggies. I used leeks, carrots and mixed sprouts.

I sipped on hot water all day and an infusion of coriander, ginger, cumin and fennel. Things sure smell interesting around here.

Dinner consisted of:

2 egg omelette with spinach, onions, garlic and thyme and carrot purée with nutmeg, ginger and cloves. I snacked on air popped popcorn earlier, dressed with olive oil and nutritional yeast.

I officially said goodbye to all of the XLs in my life as of March- I gave my last item, my favorite Banana dress to a dear friend ... And welcomed in more of the letter M. One of this summer's adventures is learning how to sew. I'm eager to see how I do with the first three one seam dresses and blanket I have to begin with and how the measurements stack up as I start my first pattern. I like the letter m. Looking forward to kicking L completely out of my life.