Sunday, July 22, 2012

My Daily Dose Of... Buddha

"You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." - The Buddha


Going Without Gluten... Four Days and Counting

So, the Great Dairy-Free Journey turns into the Great Gluten and Dairy - Free journey! Its' been about a week without dairy and some four days without gluten and I feel great! Not to disgust you with the innards of my digestive system, but I've got a lot more energy, no gas and I'm not running to the bathroom a gazillion times a day!
It's been difficult for me - I LOVE cheese and bread! But, we went to Amaranth Whole Foods Market and bought groceries for me (including dairy-free cheese!) so it's been a bit more unbearable. Also, many restaurants offer gluten and dairy-free dishes, or their dishes can be modified.
Olive 'R Twist in Cochrane offers dishes without lactose and gluten, marking them on their menu.
Boston Pizza is also offering gluten-free pizza crusts, but pizza without cheese really isn't worth it!

Since gluten-free and dairy-free diets are becoming more and more mainstream, there are many cookbooks that offers gluten-free and dairy-free cooking tips. Vegan cookbooks never use milk, but they do use gluten in their recipes; be mindful of this.

Anyways, I've been experimenting with different gluten-free recipes and trying to modify other recipes and make some of my own, so I will keep my blog updated with how it goes!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Wanna Try Something New Today?

Today, I came across an incredible site: http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/pictures-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity
Here are some of the highlights (for me, anyways, warning: may induce tears of joy)
This a picture of the Chicago Christians at Chicago's Gay Pride parade.
And this is the reaction from the parade (I'm crying just looking at this).
These senior citizens would rather risk their own lives than our generation's. What a truly selfless act... The Buddha would be proud.
A man giving the shoes off of his own feet to a young girl in Guatemala. We often forget that we have so much, and we often take it for granted.
This is so adorable: animals are of this Earth, and they love us unconditionally. What say we give them the same treatment they give us?


I think that's all I will post for now, as the website has 21 heartwarming pictures that you can look at.

My message here is: don't be a bystander, you are capable of inspiring people, and of great things!

The Great Dairy-Free Journey Begins

Well, folks, I'm back after a long hiatus of non-blogging. To be honest, I've been so busy that I've hardly had time to sit down and do anything... unfortunately :(
I've seen my doctor a few times in the last couple of weeks, and he has recommended that I follow a dairy-free diet as he seems to think that my lactose - intolerance is not merely an intolerance, but an allergy. (Cue violins!) Unfortunately for me and my French Onion Soup-loving existence!
However, there are ways around this. Namely, non-dairy cheese - yes, that does sound odd, but they do make blocks of non-dairy, vegetable-based "cheese". I have also learned how to make almond butter - my handy new food processor has quickly become a cooking staple!
Subsequently, I have also began to eat vegan as there is no dairy used in vegan cooking. Tom's sister is vegan, so she is very supportive of it, but I do love meat still! However, my doctor has also recommended I eat red meat only twice a week as I cannot seem to digest that either (yes, I know - you really wanted to know that!), so tofu, turkey and chicken have also become staples in our house. Bonus is, they're cheaper than buying red meat frequently.

So, how has it been going (I'm assuming you ask)? Pretty good! I've gone dairy-free (as much as I can) for almost a week now, and I've been feeling great! I have a ton of energy and my skin has started to clear up. I've also lost 2 pounds this week and my body has started a very healthy, natural cleanse. All in all, I think this has been a good decision.
I've also been eating a ton of sushi - straying away, of course, from Alaskan rolls with cream cheese - and I no longer feel tired after lunch! Though rice is a carbohydrate, I still feel filled and it lasts until I start to feel the afternoon munchies around three in the afternoon.
Anyways, I will keep my blog updated with dairy-free recipes I come across/ create, and will keep updated on how everything goes - including my saga with weight loss.... keep me in your thoughts!