How I Won the Battle with Depression and Got off Antidepressants – and a Sunny Mila (Chia) Dreamsicle Smoothie with 3000 mg of Omega 3′s

 Articles and Reading, Beverage, Breakfast, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Favorites, Food Find, Gluten Free, Gratitude, Kid Friendly, Quick and Easy, Six Ingredients or Less, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian  9 Responses »
Apr 222013
 

I felt like a three ton weight was pressing on my shoulders and wanted to just lie in my darkened closet and not come out.

One of the hardest parts was that I looked normal.

Sunny Mila (Chia) Dreamsicle Smoothie

Sunny Mila (Chia) Dreamsicle Smoothie

It is not easy to share the details of my life in a public forum like this, in fact I’ve had this post written for a while and continued to put off posting it because I just wasn’t sure I wanted to put it out there, but I’m going to do so in the hopes that I might be able to help someone else.

My life was (and is) seemingly perfect. I have a supporting and loving family, husband and daughter, a wonderful home, a job, I have figured out my passion, I have all my limbs and hey, I live in Florida, how bad can things actually be?

I was suffering from major depression. What made it worse was that I should NOT be depressed, right?  I should have felt only happiness and gratitude.  And I DID, but I also had a cloud that hung over my head and no matter how much I tried to talk myself out of it, read positive books, think positive thoughts, it would still be there.  It was so bad that I would cry almost every day on the way on the drive to work and many days on the way home. When I got to work I would blow my nose, put some cover-up around my eyes, slap on some powder and put my glasses on to cover it up.  I was exhausted all the time, so much so that it felt like physical pain.  I would tell my mom this almost daily. Mom I’m so tired it hurts.

I had an aging (and very noisy) Labrador, Madison, that would wake me at night and afterwards I wouldn’t fall back to sleep which made the exhaustion worse.  One particular weekend stands out in my memory.  Some friends, Matt and Stephanie, came in town and several couples were going out for dinner. My hubby was busy doing something that I can’t recall so I was going to go myself.  I put on a beautiful new dress that had the colors of the ocean, blues and greens, and drove to my friend Justine’s house 45 minutes away from mine to see them.  Everyone was chatting and gathering their things to head to dinner. I tried to put on my game face but I was so worn down that I was wrestling with myself.  Just suck it up and go, you’ll be fine. And the next thought, I’m so tired it hurts. I just want to sit at home and wallow. The exhaustion won. I said I’m so sorry, I can’t do it. I have to go home. I’m exhausted.   I envisioned everyone mentally rolling their eyes at me.  Of course they weren’t, but I was so embarrassed. I’m still embarrassed about that day and sad that I missed seeing Matt and Steph. I was too young to be that tired. Anyone is too young to be that tired.

That memory always fades into another; my husband and I were staying in St Augustine to celebrate the “February Birthdays” with about five other couples, and I was so worried about even making it to dinner, never mind out afterwards for drinks and music.  I was so tired that I wanted to forgo dinner at the Floridian and just stay in my hotel room at the Edgewater by myself. I drank two red energy drinks and one and a half of those little energy bottles and was still exhausted.  I was so embarrassed that I would resort to drinking such chemicals when I have a food blog about eating a healthy, plant based diet.

Sunny Mila (Chia) Dreamsicle Smoothie

Sunny Mila (Chia) Dreamsicle Smoothie

I was on the highest dosage of Bupropion I could be on and I had tried many of the other antidepressants. Nothing seemed to work.  My poor mom is a saint for listening to me through all the crying.

On a particularly dark day I said enough was enough and called my physician to see if she would increase my dosage again. I told her I just want to be a zombie. Get through the day. Go home.  I don’t want to feel this weight any more.  She said no. You are on the highest dosage.  It can not be increased any more, Dawn.  I cried about that.

My hair was falling out so I fired my hair dresser thinking that he had over-processed my hair.

Then one day I got an email from my mom’s neurology nurse practitioner, Megan.  (My mom has Multiple Sclerosis.) Megan, asked me if I would do a talk on food, nutrition, recipes and my CSA (KyV Farm) for her MS group she runs and I told her of course, I would love to.  She said my mom had been telling her about my food blog and she got very excited because she is vegetarian.

Things would come up and I didn’t get around to it, but we continued to talk and become friends. She became a regular follower of my blog and we would occasionally discuss recipes offline.

A while later I did a few posts about flax and chia seed.  Once again she contacted me and said she saw I was eating chia seeds. I said yes, and told her how I was eating lots of organic chia and freshly ground flax daily.  She asked if I had tried Mila, a raw seed blend.  I said no and asked if it is organically grown and non GMO.  She said yes to organic and no to GMO. She said I’d be happy to share some with you.  I said as long as it’s one ingredient and is a whole, raw food, send it on over. I’d try it.

A few days later I got a large bag of seeds. Being the health nut that I am I cracked it open and began eating it.  About three weeks into it I noticed better digestion, more energy and I was falling back to sleep after Madison woke me up at night. Hmm…well that was nice.  The seeds I was eating before hadn’t had the same effects.  I started getting low and asked her for more.  About three months into eating it I noticed something about my depression. Not that I wasn’t getting upset, but that I wasn’t crying all the time. I seemed to be able to get over the hump easier.

Eager to get off any pharmaceuticals, I decided to cut out one day a week of taking them, after a week or two I cut out two days. And so on and so forth.

After a few months I was completely off pharmaceutical antidepressants, and for some reason I didn’t put two and two together.  But I finally thought about it and the ONLY thing I had changed was this food.

I did some research.  I found many studies about high amounts of Omega 3’s helping the symptoms of depression.  The blend I was eating has 3000mg per serving, I know other brands do as well, but for some reason the organic kind I was eating before didn’t touch the depression.

The fact that I had no idea this was one of the “side effects” of eating this whole, raw food until after I was off the meds was what really moved me.

My hair started growing back in.  I didn’t realize that many people experience hair loss on high dosages of antidepressants, so now that I was off them, my hair started growing back.  Now, over a year later, I don’t even take one medication, my weight is lower and I have more energy. I can’t remember the last time I drank a disgusting red energy drink or took those little energy bottles.  I have a cup or two of coffee in the morning because I enjoy it, and that’s all I need. I get up between 4:15 and 4:40 am and typically get to bed around 9 or 10 pm.

I’m so thankful that Megan sent me that purple bag of seeds that was so different than everything I had tried before that I think of her daily with gratitude.

The best part is that the three ton weight is gone.  And I’m happy to say I finally did do that talk for the MS group and had a great time.

This is my story. I’m not embellishing or exaggerating.  I still absolutely do get upset about things but am able to deal with them a bit better and find my moods much more even.  I did join the business with Megan in order to share information about my story and the food that helped me so much and I’m so proud to represent it.  I tell people about it like a good movie or good restaurant. If they want to try some, great and if not, that is fine too.  I am NOT by any means saying that what I found will cure anything whatsoever, and I’m NOT giving any advice on how to get off antidepressants, all I know is my own experience and how it helped me. Everyone’s bodies are different and react differently to foods.  Please also notice that I said it took THREE months. If I had been expecting the effects of this food I probably would have gotten impatient. Because I didn’t know this was a benefit of this food, it was like an added bonus. And what a bonus!

All I ask is that you treat yourself with love and consider the side effects of taking any sort of pharmaceutical BEFORE you start.  Your doctor will most likely NOT try to treat any ailment through food and nutrition before going to pharmaceuticals.  There are a very few like Megan and if you have found one, hold on to them like gold.

I have no idea what other ailments my body was suffering from those high dosages of antidepressants, not to mention the energy drinks but I am so thankful, every day, that I found this food.

If you have questions about my experience please contact me at chefdawn (at) hotmail.com.

“If you’re concerned about your health, you should probably avoid products that make health claims. Why? Because a health claim on a food product is a strong indication it’s not really food, and food is what you want to eat.”
― Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto

Sunny Mila (Chia) Dreamsicle Smoothie

Sunny Mila (Chia) Dreamsicle Smoothie

Sunny Mila Dreamsicle Smoothie

Serves 1
Vegan, Gluten Free
Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup vanilla almond milk
2 mandarin oranges, peeled and sectioned
1/2 frozen banana, chopped
1 scoop (2 Tbsp) Mila
**If using unsweet vanilla almond milk, you can add a bit of agave, honey or sweetener of choice

Directions

1. Blend everything together and enjoy!

“While it is true that many people simply can’t afford to pay more for food, either in money or time or both, many more of us can. After all, just in the last decade or two we’ve somehow found the time in the day to spend several hours on the internet and the money in the budget not only to pay for broadband service, but to cover a second phone bill and a new monthly bill for television, formerly free. For the majority of Americans, spending more for better food is less a matter of ability than priority. p.187”

― Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto

Nutrition Facts
1 Serving
Amount Per Serving 

Calories 252.4
Total Fat 6.8 g
Saturated Fat 0.1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.1 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 184.5 mg
Potassium 460.0 mg
Total Carbohydrate 43.9 g
Dietary Fiber 11.2 g
Sugars 28.2 g
Protein 6.5 g

Vitamin A 10.8 %
Vitamin B-6 14.6 %
Vitamin C 7.7 %
Vitamin D 25.0 %
Vitamin E 50.7 %
Calcium 53.3 %
Copper 4.6 %
Folate 2.4 %
Iron 10.9 %
Magnesium 7.7 %
Manganese 20.9 %
Niacin 1.4 %
Pantothenic Acid 1.3 %
Phosphorus 14.0 %
Riboflavin 5.0 %
Selenium 0.8 %
Thiamin 1.5 %
Zinc 0.6 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

 Posted by at 9:46 pm  Tagged with:

Tofu Xpress Giveaway and an Easy Saucy Kale and Tofu Sandwich

 Dairy Free, Dressing, Egg Free, Food Find, Gratitude, High Protein, Lighter Fare, Main Meal, Native Sun Recipe, Quick and Easy, Six Ingredients or Less, Vegan, Vegetarian  37 Responses »
Feb 042013
 

For my Kale and Tofu Sandwich scroll down!

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And the winner of the giveaway is #13 Anna Rabhan! Please check out her article at her website the Organic Adventurer on Palm Oil and Orangutans.

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The long ago day when I overheard people talking about the book the China Study was the day that changed my life.  I had already been leaning towards a plant based diet, but the facts about the proteins in animals and dairy scared me enough to finally make that change.  The authors studied the instances of cancer, diabetes and heart disease in populations of rural China that ate little to no animal foods. They then took these findings back and performed laboratory studies where they found they could turn on and turn off cancer cells with the addition of the protein found in milk.

Even if it isn’t true the more I ask questions and facts I learn about the treatment of animals, especially dairy cows in most of the commercial farming industry, the happier I am that I found this book and the more I celebrate plant proteins like tofu, tempeh and legumes!  Do you ever wonder…..What happens when it is time to retire that dairy cow? What happens to the male goats? What about male chicks in the egg industry?   How do we harvest down and foie gras? 

Ultimately each person is free to make their own decisions absolutely free of judgement.  I encourage all of us to simply make informed decisions.  Just like in all areas of life, it is so important to edcuate ourselves on the facts as best we can and then select what is right for us.

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For those of you that are thinking about adding more plant based foods into your diet but don’t know what to do with tofu, the first thing you need to know is that you have to press the water out of it to get a firm texture that is reminiscent of animal protein.  You can do this by putting a bunch of paper towels under the tofu and placing two plates, one on top and one on bottom, and topping with some weight (usually heavy books work well) for an hour up to overnight.  OR you can get this super easy tofu press!  My tofu press I bought from TofuXpress years ago is one of my all time favorite kitchen gadgets that gets used at least weekly.  I can’t tell you how much I love this thing! No more plates and messy towels – this press will not only press the water out, you can marinate right in it!

TofuXpress Giveaway from FCC!

TofuXpress Giveaway from FCC!

I am so excited to bring you a giveaway of a TofuXpress!

This press is a $40 value and I will ship to anywhere is the continental US.

To enter for THREE chances to win – tell all your friends!

Leave one comment: Entry #1 What is your favorite kitchen gadget? (Please share the love and share this giveaway with your friends!)

Leave a second comment: Entry #2 Like Florida Coastal Cooking on facebook AND share about the giveaway (If you are already a follower, thank you! Please simply share the giveaway and leave the comment you did so.)

Leave a third comment: Entry #3 Follow Florida Coastal Cooking on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway (If you are already a follower, thank you! Please simply share the giveaway and leave the comment you did so.)

The giveaway will end in one week on Monday, February 11th, 2013 5:30AM EST

Good luck!

Saucy Kale and Tofu Sandwich

Saucy Kale and Tofu Sandwich

This is one of my favorite ways to eat pressed tofu – SIMPLE, with kale, seasonings and a great dressing.  Lately a kale, tofu and Annie’s Light Goddess dressing salad is all I bring for lunch. The great thing is that the hearty kale can stand up to being dressed that morning so I don’t have to worry about it turning to mush and at the same time it can marinate to the tofu. Yesterday for lunch I decided to try it as a sandwich and it was really good. The toasted bun gives it a nice crunch and the flavor of the Annie’s dressing is a soy/tahini/cider vinegar base which gives it a nutty and slightly salty flavor.

It is important to season firm, pressed and uncooked tofu because, just like any animal protein, it needs some flavor.  Have you ever tried an unseasoned piece of chicken? I remember what it tastes like – bleck!

If you are not sure about leaving the tofu uncooked – you can marinate it in the dressing and then roast, grill or pan sear it.

Saucy Kale and Tofu Sandwich

Saucy Kale and Tofu Sandwich

Easy Saucy Kale and Tofu Sandwich

Serves 1
Vegan
Printable Recipe

Ingredients

1 bagel thin, I used Rudis Whole Wheat Flatz
2 curly kale leaves
1/4 block pressed organic tofu
Coarse sea salt, fresh ground pepper, to taste
1/8 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp Annie’s Light Goddess Dressing

Directions

1. Toast bagel thin; top with 1 kale leaf; top with tofu; sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder and dressing; top with remaining kale leaf.

Full Nutrition info not available for this recipe
Estimated 
225 cals
12.8 grams protein
1/2 your daily calcium
Enjoy my Easy Saucy Kale and Tofu Sandwich!

Delicious Mila Recipes

 Appetizer, Articles and Reading, Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dessert, Egg Free, Favorites, Food Find, Gluten Free, Gratitude, Kid Friendly, Lighter Fare, Low Cal, Main Meal, Quick and Easy, Salad, Six Ingredients or Less, Snack, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian  1 Response »
Oct 212012
 

Are you a Mila lover and need some recipes?  This post is for you!

For those of you that are asking – what is Mila?  I am 1000% passionate about this food and the company.  Scroll down below this delicious gallery of recipes to find out….

Breakfast Oatmeal Cupcakes

Country Apples & Walnuts

Nutrient Packed Mila Cereal

Blueberry Pie Oatmeal with Mila

All Natural Zucchini Muffins with Mila

Mila Almond No-Blender Smoothie

Peanut Butter, Apple, Barley and Raisin Salad

Rustic Roasted Tomato and Garlic Soup

Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant withTahini Sauce

Vegan Seven Layer Dip with Mila

Eggplant Leek Soup

Easy Mexican Tortilla Bake with Mila

Garlicky Bean Dip

Pear Apple Salad

Tropical Mila Crumble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are two kinds of people in the world.

Those that want to treat their ailments with pills and pharmaceuticals that are ineffective or have serious side effects, and those that want to eat real, whole FOODS.

If you, a friend or family member is struggling with any of these issues, I have found something that may be able to help! 

  • sleep problems
  • lack of energy
  • constipation and digestion problems
  • depression
  • excess weight
  • joint problems
  • skin issues
  • neurological disorders and a host of other ailments…

Even better, it’s not a mix of herbs, pill or potion, shake or powder. It’s simply a whole, raw food like apples, sweet potatoes or quinoa. It works with vegan, raw and gluten free diets.

[Tip: Go to google, type in the issue you are struggling with and Omega3's and Medical Studies - see what you can find!]

Please, please, please don’t be fooled by those folks that are representing supplements and calling them food. When have you ever pulled a leafy plant out of nutrient dense soil and seen a bunch of pills hanging off the roots?

Mila 

How did I come across it? My mom has Multiple Sclerosis and it was her nurse practitioner, Megan, at her neurologist that sent me a sample – she loves to treat disease through whole foods instead of pills. After a few questions and some research, I became so impressed with the nutrition of this food that I agreed to try it out and fell in love. My mom is now eating Mila daily and the difference has been phenomenal. She can go for walks when she used to have to lay down and her energy lasts much longer throughout the day. This is the BIGGEST reason I’m now personally backing it and have even started a business that revolves around it. As for me – the first things I noticed were increased energy, even better digestion and, after three months, I was able to get off my antidepressants.  Little did I know that the high dosages of these pharmaceuticals was causing my hair to fall out, so it is now growing back in crazy amounts.

Ok great, so what is Mila?

It’s a special blend of raw seeds that are cleaned and sliced to make them super easy for your body to suck up all the nutrients.

Gram per gram comparison.

  • This seed blend has 2x the potassium of bananas
  • 6x more calcium than milk
  • More antioxidants then blueberries
  • 2x the fiber of bran flakes
  • 15x more magnesium than broccoli
  • 4x more selenium than flax seed
  • 6x more protein than kidney beans
  • 9x more phosphorous than whole milk
  • 8x more omega 3s than salmon
  • 3x more iron than spinach

The FIBER in Mila is what helps with weight loss. AND, it absorbs tons of water to help you feel full and regulate blood sugar.  As for the other ailments – it has 3000 mg of plant based Omega3′s and that is the key!

Talk about a PERFECT food to get tons of nutrition into our kids. Especially for busy moms like myself.

It is the best fuel for workouts. Do me a favor, next time you go to eat a protein bar, mix up a shake, eat something with a name like “goo”, read the ingredients.  How many ingredients are there? Do you know what each ingredient is?  No?  Then why are you putting that in your body?!

Ask my fellow yogi, ultra-runner and friend Jen Vogel who just finished a 508 mile bike race a few weekends ago! No that is not a typo. Yes 508 miles. She rocks. You go Jen!

Mila is also amazing for pets!

According to Dr Guy Arad, Veterinarian “I am a passionate Veterinary Practitioner with special interest in orthopedic surgery, critical care and cardiology who nurtures the human-pet bond. I love using Mila in my patients, as I see a dramatic improvement in cases of arthritis, recovery from orthopedic surgery, weight loss, skin diseases, diabetes, GI diseases and more. Mila is the healthiest whole raw food and best vehicle of Omega 3s. It is easy to introduce to our companions’ diets, as it has no taste or odor.”

It’s got lots of backing from the medical world.

Dr. Bob Arnot, Dr. Gutierrez, Dr. Clement, Dr. Ford, Dr. Lamm are all behind this little seed.

In comparison to standard organic bulk bin chia, Mila wins out, hands down, every time. See this new research showing that this open blend is better than whole seed. I did a bunch of research to convince me of this but the reason I’m so confident is that I used myself as the guinea pig. In fact, I had been eating both flax and bulk bin chia daily and never noticed a difference until I began eating this seed blend.

Want to try some for yourself? Click here.

Supporting the small farmer is what it’s all about. REAL FOOD is what it’s all about. As you may already know, I’m all about promoting health and nutrition – hence all the CSA/farm share events I do. I volunteer to do that because I LOVE it and I want to make not only my family, but your family healthier too. This company gives back to the farmers that grow this seed along the equator.  “The long-term World Vision consists of a program, called Farmer In A Box™, that will educate families and villages to sustain themselves by teaching them to grow the healthiest whole, raw food for themselves.  Our access to this extraordinary seed gives us the opportunity to affect the well-being of those all around the world. Our goal is to not only change their health but also create an economical infrastructure for the benefit of their future generations.”

Find out even more reasons I have fallen in LOVE <3 with the company. Click here to watch a short movie.

I’ll admit, at first I was skeptical, but from what I’ve learned since I started this business in May, never have I met a more genuine and supportive leadership group and corporate support/customer service group. This movie was actually filmed to be part of another video and the emotional parts were to be edited out – but when the owners watched all the footage they changed their mind. The stories are what it’s all about, so they decided to bear their hearts and just let it all hang out.
My own experience. I have had to call in to customer service several times – once for an event I had WAY overpaid on accidentally. A real person answered the phone and they refunded my money on the spot – no questions asked. Why can’t all companies be like that?

For so many years I have wanted to start my own business so I can eventually work for myself. Should I open a food truck? Have a farmers market store front? You name it, I thought of it. When I found this food and the business behind it, I jumped at the chance.  It may not be for you, but it could be huge.  Do you want the next three years to look like the last three?

I am 1000% passionate about this food and the company. Questions?  Contact me at chefdawn@hotmail.com

What are your goals and dreams?

 Gratitude  3 Responses »
Sep 022012
 
My life has been a whirlwind lately!  It’s amazing how things start to change when you focus on the positive.
I have no doubts that the next two years of my life are going to be very different than the last twelve.
I currently work a day job with a great company and some amazing people.  At the same time, I have some long term goals that include health coaching, children’s programs, writing a book, a cookbook, more recipe development and motivational speaking.

So why am I so sure things are going to be different?  Because my mom’s nurse practitioner at her neurologist sent me a bag of Mila, and after three weeks of eating it, I decided to create my own side business.  Through this new change I found the motivation to start listening to motivational CD’s, read inspirational books, and watch moving documentaries.  In just the few short months I have been doing this I have met many new friends that all have the same interests I do and I have now found the way I can reach my long term goals.  My mission is to help people – with their health and their lives, and this is my springboard.
Since starting up my business, I have taped for the Suze Orman show that will air in the fall, the Dr Oz show contacted me about using a photo and will link it back to my site (I should have that link next week), I appeared on First Coast News talking about CSA and KYV Farm, and I have achieved a little dream of mine – to collaborate with  Native Sun and do recipe development for them – Native Sun is a local natural food store that was instrumental in helping me with my daughter’s food allergies.  I am the most proud about this recent achievement! I hope you will visit their website and stores a lot if you are in the First Coast area.  Here is the launch post! http://nativesunjax.com/blog/featured-recipe-pineapple-tomato-chimichurri-over-teriyaki-tofu/.
Me, Dawn Hutchins, on First Coast News with Phil Amato
Last week was another Mila event – we enjoyed the view, drank a few cocktails and socialized, ate food made with Mila, talked nutrition and the importance of Omega 3s and fiber in your diet (as well as your parents, kids and even pets).
Here some of the pics of the event!
Tell me – What are your dreams?  What are the steps you’re taking to reach them?
I love hearing what people’s dreams and goals are, and who knows, maybe writing them here will help you lay them out and start on your path to achieving them!
Penthouse of the Peninsula Landmark Building, downtown Jacksonville, Florida
Delicious food made with Mila
Getting ready for the event
View of the Jags stadium
View of downtown Jacksonville, Florida
Mila, the little seed that’s making a big impact
Me, Dawn Hutchins, and Rachel Garcia
Jodi McLeod and her cute mom
The Lifemax/Mila event
Rachel discussing omega 3s and fiber
A great mix of people interested in nutrition
Theresa and her hubby enjoying the view
 Posted by at 12:56 pm  Tagged with:

Tropical Grilled Pineapple Salad with Creamy Mango, Avocado and Fresh Lime Dressing (Oil Free and Vegan)

 Dairy Free, Dressing, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Gratitude, Lighter Fare, Low Cal, Salad, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian  No Responses »
Jul 142012
 
Tropical Grilled Pineapple Salad with Creamy Mango Avocado Lime Dressing
Oh my goodness I am one busy girl.  Not only has work been crazy but I’m also taking care of a sick little one, sharing Mila, doing yoga, hitting the gym, writing a food blog and cooking (to name just a few).  
And I have some exciting new to share with you!  I was asked to do a presentation at Baptist Beaches Hospital this Wednesday for an MS group there, Native Sun is now carrying some of my recipes (check it out!) AND I was invited to an exclusive media dinner at the Casa Monica’s restaurant, 95 Cordova, to review their new summer menu on August 10th!
Things are really moving along and gaining momentum.  In fact, last week on Tuesday I made the decision, after a particularly stressful day at work, to make peace with where I am in life and really have gratitude for what I have.  So I started a “Gratitude Board” where I write something I’m grateful for every day and really try to think about WHY I’m grateful for it.  Also, I began writing in a journal my goals and dreams in great detail as if they have already happened.  This little trick sets your subconscious up to be looking for ways to achieve what, in writing, has already happened.  I made a conscious decision to think of myself as a lucky person – and guess what.  I was on Native Sun’s blog and entered a little contest by guessing a secret ingredient and actually won!  The fact that it’s just a little (but VERY delicious) smoothie doesn’t matter….it’s the fact that when you get your mind right the universe responds to you.
Here are some of the things I wrote in my journal in a nutshell.
My first goals are to go back to school to the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to become a Certified Health Coach like my friend Michelle at Find Your Balance.  To get there I will greatly grow my business with Mila so that I can share Mila with LOTS of people and change their health forever.  I want to continue doing seminars and presentations on health and nutrition and continue being the volunteer coordinator and event planner for KYV farm.  
I will make the world a better place than I left it. Ultimately, I strive to make a positive impact on people’s health and the environment.
How is that for a deep subject on a Saturday?  So where does food and recipes fit into this you ask?
I’m not sure, but the universe must have been telling me to try Cara’s Spicy Tomato Coconut Sauce because I found something my husband and I both love.  This was very surprising to me because I actually made this sauce for myself he isn’t a fan of tomatoes or coconut. I know, very selfish of me but I had been dying to try it.  Cara – the universe is talking and it’s telling the world to make Spicy Tomato Coconut Sauce.  It is perfect over some GF pasta.
Spicy Coconut Tomato Sauce

And for the salad – mangoes were on sale at Fresh Market 10 for $10 so I bought some and then decided on a tropical salad so grilled pineapple fit the bill.  I made this dressing for my friend Suzanne and her husband Dan who are oil free vegans that also eat Mila and lost a TON of weight. This dressing is sweet and creamy from the avocado and mango and the onion adds that hmmm factor and helps, along with the lime, to keep the avocado from oxidizing.

Tropical Grilled Pineapple Salad with Creamy Mango Avocado Lime Dressing

I will definitely be grilling more pineapple in the future. I haven’t done it in ages and I’ve been missing out. It turns even sweeter and caramelized on the outside….you don’t need dessert after this salad!

Tropical Grilled Pineapple Salad with Creamy Mango Avocado Lime Dressing
Tropical Grilled Pineapple Salad with
Mango, Avocado and Fresh Lime Dressing
Serves 4
Vegan, Gluten Free

Ingredients

4 slices pineapple, sprayed with organic cooking spray

Dressing
1 ripe mango, skin removed and chopped
1/4 avocado
1/4 red onion
Juice 1/2 lime
1/4 tsp sea salt

Salad
6 cups spinach blend
1/4 red onion, sliced
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1/2 green pepper, sliced

Directions

1. Preheat grill to medium high.  Add pineapple – grill 5 to 7 minutes per side or until nice grill marks form.

2. Meanwhile mix the dressing ingredients in a Magic Bullet or blender – set aside.

3. Mix the salad ingredients in a large bowl.  Slice grilled pineapple into wedges.  Serve 2 cups salad mixture, 1 sliced pineapple around and a few Tbsp dressing on each plate.  The dressing can also be mixed in beforehand.

**You will most likely have dressing left over to reserve for another use.

Nutrition Facts Salad
4 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 59.6
Total Fat 0.6 g
Saturated Fat 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 37.1 mg
Potassium 399.6 mg
Total Carbohydrate 13.9 g
Dietary Fiber 2.4 g
Sugars 9.4 g
Protein 1.9 g

Vitamin A 86.3 %
Vitamin B-6 10.5 %
Vitamin C 65.2 %
Folate 25.5 %
Iron 9.2 %
Magnesium 12.7 %
Manganese 91.2 %


Nutrition Facts Dressing
4 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 54.0
Total Fat 1.8 g
Saturated Fat 0.3 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 1.1 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 147.4 mg
Potassium 145.2 mg
Total Carbohydrate 10.3 g
Dietary Fiber 1.8 g
Sugars 7.7 g
Protein 0.5 g

Vitamin A 8.3 %
Vitamin C 27.1 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

End the Struggle to Lose Weight and be Happy with Yourself

 Articles and Reading, Gratitude  No Responses »
Jun 232012
 

Losing Weight and Learning to Love Ourselves

We women are so hard on ourselves. I think back at how many times I looked in the mirror and said I am so fat. I HATE my thighs. Or beat myself up for eating that extra helping saying, I have NO willpower and I am so bad. The negative self image was a vicious cycle of self loathing, eating bad food, and then self loathing again. The thoughts, “what the heck is wrong with me? Why can’t I lose weight?” passed through my head all day long.

Our culture is not accepting of women that carry any weight, yet the standard American diet perpetuates obesity. Processed foods are full of chemicals, fat, sugar and salt and our brains are not programmed to be able to handle the man made levels of sweetness and saltiness. They go into hyper drive, releasing dopamine and giving us that rush just like a drug. The only problem is that next time we need more. We then eat more and berate ourselves for not having more willpower.

The only way to stop the cycle is to come from a place of love and acceptance of yourself. So that instead of forcing our bodies to lose weight through weight loss programs or crutches like pills and shakes (trust me, I’ve done it all), we make a change based on wanting to care for the body we have been given. Make a change to better it instead of forcing it and hating it.

So here is how you do that. Stop whatever you are doing right now and think about what you are thankful for. To the top of that list add your body. You only have one. Be grateful for it. Then start to think how can I take care of my one body? How can I FEEL better? Don’t even think about how to force the weight off. Instead of stuffing yourself into jeans that are too small or a dress that doesn’t fit, go out and get just a few things that will make you feel good about yourself right now – even if you think that where you are right now is too heavy. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you are giving in. The key to this is to give you a chance to feel good for a little while. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Ok now that you are feeling ok about yourself in your new dress that is comfortable and fits think about the one feature you LIKE about yourself. This is hard for us women because our eyes automatically go to the place we DON’T like. So think about what you feel pretty good about and play that feature up. For me it’s my arms and back. No matter how hard I work out, genetically by body is programmed to hold on to a bit of weight on my lower half, so instead of forcing myself into teensy shorts, I will wear a flowy, summery skirt and show off my arms that I work very hard at. For you, it could be your eyes or your shoulders, your gorgeous hands, or whatever.

If you can’t think of anything, that is ok. Just start to think about what you do want instead of what you don’t want. Think about how you want to feel not only that you want to be X pounds lighter. And how are you going to get there? For me, when I read the China Study and watched Forks Over Knives then subsequently gave up eating meat and dairy things started to change for me. I was able to let go of the guilt I carried over the environmental impacts of eating meat and the suffering of animals. My body felt lighter,my digestion better, I felt free. I didn’t make the change with the purpose of losing weight, I made the change for my health, and the weight came off later. But you need to do what works for you.

Find that reason to make a change other than to be skinny because that never works. Inevitably it will come back.

Think of youurself as a little child. Would you say the same things to that child that you say to yourself? No! You would never say you are SO fat and disgusting. Instead you would say I love you unconditionally and I want you to be healthy and happy.

Now that we’re coming from this place of love and acceptance think about the changes you can make to better your health. Start looking at the ingredients in food. The goal is to choose foods with one ingredient. Eat less meat, less processed foods, more vegetables and fruits but don’t beat yourself up if you slip. Just get back on the wagon and keep on trucking.

Set boundaries to make time. Say no to working late every night. Try and get to the gym at lunch instead of working through. Put yourself first so in turn, you will be healthy enough to take care of others. I know what you’re thinking, “I know, I know, I’ve heard that before”, but stop and seriously think about that one.

Plan to cook one meal a week, bring your lunch for one meal a week and to take one walk to start and add on from there. Or if you are already doing that think about what next step you could take to make you and your family healthier. Add a bike ride. Clean the pantry and fridge of processed snack foods – chips, Jell-O, Cool Whip, boxed Mac N Cheese, Lunchables…..

Some suggestions:

For quick snacks are natural almonds, apple and peanut butter, pre-cut fruits and veggies & hummus (you’ll save a lot by not buying processed foods, so if convenience is what you need than splurge on precut produce), non-dairy yogurt, dried fruit, natural granola (read the ingredients), ants on a log (celery stuffed with peanut butter and raisins), salsa.

Want something sweet? Try banana ice cream. Freeze peeled and pre-cut bananas and blend until it becomes a soft serve consistency. Add nuts and dried fruit or some unsweet coconut!

Stock your pantry with cans of beans, grains, nut butters, canned pumpkin and squash, vinegar and olive oil, oatmeal, cinnamon

Stock the freezer with edamame (soy beans – steam them for 15 minutes and add a bit of salt and olive oil), chopped spinach (to add to quesadillas), mixed veggies (to add to whole grain pasta), natural popcorn (yes it’s a whole grain! But check the ingredients.)

Stock the fridge with precut fruits and veggies, non-dairy milk and non-dairy yogurt

Once I learned more about meat proteins it was almost a no brainer. I wasn’t TRYING to lose weight any more; I was cutting out the animal foods to avoid heart disease, cancer and diabetes. There are so many things I CAN eat, which is what I focus on. Truthfully it makes food choices so much easier now. I think of it like the toothpaste aisle. Do we really need 492 choices of toothpaste? No! We maybe could use 3. Regular, whitening and Tom’s and I think we would get by just fine. From there I lost the last weight that I had been trying to lose. There was no forcing my body, no struggle; I don’t even get on the scale any more and I USED to weigh every day and obsess about every half pound. Then I added Mila and began to feel even better than I thought was possible. Even better digestion, I sleep all night, I am off my antidepressants, I have more energy. I always worked out but this even helps my recovery. I’m so thankful to be in a great place right now – don’t get me wrong, I’m not a size 0 and I have my struggles in life, but I have my health and hope for positive things to come in the future.

I promise that if you change the focus and figure out how to come from a place of love and acceptance; figure out what the goal is, the REASON is, other than just wanting to be skinny, you will succeed.

 Posted by at 11:15 am

Gratitude Post – A Letter to My Daughter

 Gratitude  13 Responses »
Jun 212011
 
My mom bought me a subscription to Oprah Magazine a few years back as a gift and in the July 2011 issue there is a photo by Richard Foulser that really spoke to me.  Along with the photo there was a quote by Marcel Proust.
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom”.  -Marcel Proust

After searching around I found the below information about the photo that made it even more special but I have been unable to find the original source or the photographer’s website.
This was the inspiration for a little letter I wrote to my daughter that I wanted to share since I haven’t done any gratitude posts lately.  Her age, almost 3, can be very challenging and I find myself losing patience and getting frustrated so it’s nice to take a step back and be thankful. 
To everyone out there with a daughter (or son) please give her a hug and appreciate each and every day (no matter how much they can drive you crazy!)

Letter to my Daughter.
I knew from the time you were born that we would be two peas in a pod;
That you came to our lives each day I thank God.
Being a parent over these short years has taught me so much;
Every day I look forward to your gentle touch.
I love spending time with you, it makes my heart sing;
To teach you about life, I take you under my wing.
Seeing the world through your eyes, each bug a delight;
Excitement each day makes everything bright.
Through raising you I have learned patience and strength;
And insight as well hearing your day at length.
The times I get frustrated you maybe can’t see;
That every minute of every day I’m so glad you’re with me.
I look forward to hearing your voice every morning;
That fabulous smile sends my heart soaring.
Though I will be sad when you are grown;
I know that I will never be lone.
For through our lives we’ll always be friends;
And when you’re and adult you’ll come back in the end.
How do I know this? I know this because;
Your nana and I are friends without pause.
We’ve always been close as best friends can be;
Even when you’re grown up you’ll be my sweet pea.
I love you!
Love,
Momma
Poem by Dawn Hutchins 6-21-2011
 Posted by at 3:37 pm

My Saturday So Far

 Gratitude  10 Responses »
Jan 082011
 
Saturday, so far, has been spent food shopping and cleaning….getting ready for my sister-in-law’s wedding next weekend.  I am the maid of honor and we are having the family over to the house the night before the wedding to celebrate.  Somehow we were able to fit in a bit of orange picking in our neighbor’s yard.  What a gorgeous day! 
Now what the heck am I going to do with all these oranges?

 Posted by at 7:21 pm

Quick note of gratitude!

 Gratitude  5 Responses »
Dec 232010
 

In the spirit of the holiday season I would like to say thanks to….

Everyone who “follows” me.  It makes me feel so good to know I’ve got some friends out there with similar interests to share ideas with!

Anyone who comes to visit me and leaves a comment.  All of us bloggers love to hear feedback on a recipe, an experience you have had or just what you think.  I love learning about people and what their thoughts are.  I’m pretty sure you’ve gotta like people if you write a blog!

Anyone who simply drops in for a visit and gets any enjoyment from the photos or recipes. 

Happy Holidays everyone.  I hope you have a great one filled with family, friends, delicious food and good health!

p.s. I plan to be posting again soon but just wanted to wish you happy holidays in case things get away from me.

 Posted by at 3:45 pm
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