Saturday, January 25, 2014
Empowerment in the Unknown
Hello WORLD it has been a minute since my last blog entry. Like many, I am now struggling to loose weight. I find comfort in food when there's a void. Lately I have fallen off track, seems like a downward spiral of events. Now I'm seeking to pull myself out of a rut I have gotten myself into. I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders and now I feel that the only way to feel free is to get lost. They say when you get yourself lost you find yourself again....I feel 26 going on 40...Going nuts! I am going through a Quarter life crisis and I had no idea this an actual thing. Its like you feel lost because you have now left the young person behind and is now realizing you're getting old. The things you thought you do when you grew up, weren't met. You're childhood friends are starting up families of their own, full time jobs, finding significant others, or whatever else. Sometimes I feel like I'm on the back burner when it may not be the case at all!! The other thing I am realizing everything happens in gods time. I am blessed with what I take for granted that others lack. I know there is something deep inside that is going on, and I just want to be alone. But I cant hide from the world for too long. Lately I find myself longing to be on my own, something I have never done. I feel that I need self empowerment. Find strength and courage within myself. This is just another Chapter in my life...The best way I can describe how I am feeling is...Its as if someone who once could see and suddenly goes blind. How would you feel if you lost your sight? Everything is completely dark, could you manage to find your way? Many find comfort in the light...could you find your way in the dark? To me the dark represents the unknown..I have a playground of the unknown to play in. I'm learning to be my own leader and prepare myself for the future. Im fighting myself to leave the familiar to go for the unfamiliar.. Life is all about making mistakes and s I'm having a hard time choosing the unknown vs. the familiar. Im not ready to settle down or have children, I'm ready to rediscover me! Find myself and get my life back on track. :) Hope whoever reads this entry finds inspiration and empowerment in the unknown!
Monday, October 3, 2011
A world without Bread
Could you imagine a world without bread?
It would be horrible! Bread is my kryptonite! Whole wheat bread, Arnold’s potato bread, pita bread, etc. Could you do without having a small piece of cake on your birthday? Which one of us could go without a favorite pasta dish such as spaghetti or lasagna? If you could do without bread or even a small slice of cake every now and then, there is something wrong with you! Actually, you may be someone who is suffering with Celiac Disease or someone who is sensitive to gluten.
Before I give this boring lecture I would like to say, people with Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivity inspire me! Why? This Gluten Disease, or sensitivity, is genetically based and it’s not like they had a choice to live this way. Celiac Disease is a digestive and autoimmune disorder that results in damage to the lining of the small intestine when foods containing gluten are eaten.[1] Gluten is a protein that consists of a mixture of glutelin and gliadin. Gluten is present in food products containing wheat, barley, rye, and controversially oats. People who suffer with Celiac Disease are like people who suffer from a peanut allergy. If there is the slightest chance of Cross Contamination[2] the person will suffer. Symptoms range from horrible abdominal pain, behavioral changes, fatigue, and itchy skin[3]. What is cross contamination in food? It is when bacteria or certain foods touch other foods, which makes someone with food allergies or someone with a weak immune system very ill. For Example; “Apparently, if oats are planted in one field, and wheat in the neighboring one, wheat spores can waft over to the oats, glom onto them, and contaminate them with gluten. Worse yet, most oats, or oats products are produced in plants that also produce wheat products. If the oats roll over machines that have recently touched wheat, I get sick. It’s just that insidious. Sigh.” Taken from Gluten Free Girl’s blog. [4]
Gluten, a.k.a. Wheat, is in almost EVERYTHING! Did you know gluten is in candy (ex. liquorish), beer, gravies, condiments (ex. ketchup), soups, some deserts, fast food items, restaurant menu items, etc.[5] My eagerness to learn more about gluten was inspired by my friend Tiffany. Last year, Tiffany was diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and sensitivity to gluten products. I had never heard of gluten until Tiffany’s ordeal and I’m glad I took the time to research it.
Consuming gluten products for many years with no affect and suddenly you find yourself eating little to no wheat at all. Without knowledge of gluten products, you would feel absolutely stumped. You are the one responsible for finding out what food products you are able to consume safely. How wonderful, right? A great way to find out more on gluten free products is to just Google it (yes, I just used Google as a verb).
Recently, I’ve noticed more “Gluten Free” labels are making their way on various food products in my local grocery store. Many of the food products were located in different areas of the store such as the deli, bakery, and cereal aisle. I’ve actually tried Udi’s gluten-free blueberry muffins from Kroger’s bakery section. To my amazement, the muffins were awesome; soft, sweet, nice big pieces of blueberries with each bite. Another plus, the muffins didn’t contain high amounts of sodium or sugar. I would honestly recommend trying Udi’s gluten-free products even if you don’t have a gluten allergy. If you can’t find Udi’s products at your local grocery store, you can purchase their products online at www.udisglutenfree.com.
Just imagine dining out with family or friends; having to ask a manager how something is made or cooked. Dining out may seem intimidating but having a gluten allergy shouldn’t stop them from going out. If you do suffer from celiac disease or irritability from wheat, be sure to call the restaurant ahead of time. Ask the manager to pull the chefs recipe book for the list of ingredients in their menu items. Make a list of foods you can consume so when you get to the restaurant you can order from the list of foods you can eat.
Lastly, there are amazing gluten free recipes to make at home. To find these recipes you can Google search, visit your local library, local book store, or buy gluten free recipe books online (ex. Amazon.com). One of my favorite gluten free recipes is making homemade guacamole. Ingredients: 2 avocados, 1 lime for lime juice, 2 large Roma tomatoes diced into chunks, ¾ a cup of onion, salt and pepper for taste. Recipe: First mash up avocados with a fork. Next add your Roma tomatoes, onions, lime juice and mix together. Lastly add salt and pepper for taste. Enjoy your homemade guacamole with On the Border Restaurant Style chips
People with Celiac Disease need the will power not to eat gluten food products. If someone has just been recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease or sensitivity to gluten, could you imagine what they are going through? I could imagine how reprogramming your body not to eat most of the foods they are use to eating. However these people are incredibly inspiring, because they have to remain strong for their health’s sake.
For those of you who are in the fight to losing weight, Stay strong for your health’s sake! Unfortunately, a person who consumes any wheat products with a gluten allergy is playing Russian Roulette. Same principle goes for those of you who decide to not care about yourself or the foods you consume. Eventually your body will throw up warning signs that you are not treating your body right. Every person’s body reacts in a different way and ultimately you are the only one who can make that change. Consequences can range from depression, weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.
This blog is very special because I’ve learned from personal experience how foods can affect a person. Weight loss, weight gain, food allergies, and food sensitivity are most of the time caused by food. From my biology class, I took winter semester; I learned people weren’t meant to break down many of the foods they consume. Did you know lactose intolerance in adults is actually normal? The reason for this is because they lack lactose enzymes. Adults who are able to continue to break down lactose are actually a genetic mutation, which they are able to produce more lactose enzymes to break down milk. Scientists believe that ancestry plays a huge roll in DNA. The ancestors of the lactose enzyme producing adults found milk as a form of sustenance and abundance. The same goes for gluten. The ability to digest gluten is another mutation, but one that allowed civilization to grow from the Rift Valley to Mesopotamia to the entire globe.
Just for fun! The next time you take a trip your local grocery store (or pantry), pick up a random food item and take a look at the nutrition label. I want you to look for key words.[6]
· Hydrolyzed corn, soy or vegetable protein: All of these have the potential of containing gluten. Wheat is often used in the process of making these proteins
· Soy sauce: Soy sauce is made with wheat
· Malt: Malt is sometimes also called barley malt. All malt is made from barley even if it is called "rice malt."
· (Modified) food starch: Not all food starch contains gluten but, unless you know what kind of starch it is, i.e. corn starch or wheat starch, it is best to avoid it.
· Check labels continuously. Even if you have bought a product before, it is a good idea to read the label periodically to check if the ingredients have changed. Companies change ingredients often and without warning.
· Don't be fooled. Some foods with gluten are easy to spot like breads, pastas and pastries. Others can be harder to identify. Here are a few to look out for:
· Dairy: Sometimes starch fillers are added to yogurt and soft cheeses.
· Cereal: Most cereals contain some form of gluten, for example, cornflakes contain malt.
· Alcoholic beverages: Beer is made with hops, a barley relative, and all beers contain a wheat relative as their base, such as wheat, barley, and rye. Gin and vodka are mainly wheat based. And some whiskies, such as scotch, are primarily from barley.
· Canned soups, stews, and prepackaged meals: Look for starch fillers, soy sauce, hydrolyzed vegetable protein and pasta.
Thanks for reading my blog
The Rogue Foodie
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Leave Without The Waist Line!!
· On a diet and you are going out to eat? No problem! Recently, many restaurants have stepped up in providing healthier food choices to their menu. However, did you know you can alter their non healthy signature menu items to suit your dietary needs?
In this blog I have featured some of my favorite YUMMY restaurants in the Metro Atlanta area. I have also featured my favorite dishes and prices from each restaurant. Give these restaurants and their various menu items a try!!
Have a favorite restaurant for me to try, feel free to leave me the restaurant name and web address to your favorite restaurant, in the comment box below!! Leave me some comments if you have tried out any of my featured restaurants.
Yummy Restaurants!!
*Be Sure to tell them The Rogue Foodie Sent Yah!!
Yummy Restaurants!!
*Be Sure to tell them The Rogue Foodie Sent Yah!!
Mellow Mushroom: Snellville, GA
* “Cosmic Karma Pizza” $22-$25 (for a large) : Spinach, Roma tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, pesto, mozzarella cheese, feta cheese crumbles, tomato sauce, & Ill add jalapenos for a spicy kick.
*$25 if you add jalapenos.
* If you dine in, be sure to order water with lemon
** If you have allergies to Gluten products, they have Gluten Free Pizza dough!!
* “Greek Gyro Platter” $12: Lamb, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, on flat bread. Comes with a Greek salad and a choice of side, which Ill usually order a plain baked potato and no dressing for the salad *Water with lemon to drink
* “Vegetarian Omelet” $7-$10: It comes with a ton of veggies inside but I alter it significantly. Spinach, onions, and tomatoes. I’ll ask for a side of fresh fruit and a side of dry wheat toast. Sometimes depending how hungry I am, I’ll ask for a bowl of plain grits.
* About $10, that is if you include the sides.
*water with lemon to drink
*** When ordering desert, only order one and share it with a friend or family member. Only take a couple bites or eat only half depending on the portion size!
· The Singin’ Bean: Lawrenceville, GA (Downtown Historical Lawrenceville)
* “San Francisco Chicken Sandwich” $6.50: It is grilled chicken with Swiss cheese and creamy Italian served on sourdough bread. It comes with a side of fresh fruit.
* Leave off the Swiss cheese and the Italian dressing. Add tomato, lettuce, and onion. Ask for wheat bread instead of Sourdough bread. Yum!
* “Veggie Wrap” $6.50: Hummus, Spinach, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Served with a side of fresh fruit
* “Organic Berry Tea” $ (price depends on size): supper yum!!
* “Grape and Almond Chicken Salad” $6.50: You can order it as a sandwich or as a salad. Either way is very yummy! If you order it as a sandwich ask for fresh fruit instead of potato chips.
*Ask for a bottled water with your meal
*** When ordering desert, only order one and share it with a friend or family member. Only take a couple bites or eat only half depending on the portion size!
· The Lazy Donkey: Carrollton, GA
* “Soft Chicken Chimichanga’s” $5.95-$10 (depending on lunch or dinner): Non fried chicken chimichanga, served with a guacamole salad. Choice of rice or refried beans. *Go with the rice.
*be sure to eat only half of your food and put the rest IMMEDIATELY in a to-go box!
*Water with lemon to drink.
**Limit yourself on the chips and salsa!!
*** When ordering desert, only order one and share it with a friend or family member. Only take a couple bites or eat only half depending on the portion size!
· Joe’s Crab Shack: Duluth, GA
* “Samuel Adams Steampot” $25 (Steampot for one is enough for 2 people): comes with sweet snow crab, 1 pound of claims, meaty lobster claws, sausage, 1 whole corn on the cob, and several red skinned potatoes. All steamed in Samuel Adams lager and garlic and old bay seasonings.
*ask your server to leave off the Old bay seasoning and Butter!!
* Leave out the sausage, or give it to a friend if dining in for two.
* Water with lemon to drink
*** When ordering desert, only order one and share it with a friend or family member. Only take a couple bites or eat only half depending on the portion size!
· Messina’s Mediterranean Cuisine : Lilburn, GA
* “Vegetarian Casserole” $5.95 (half order): Fresh cut mushrooms, bell-peppers, diced tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, grilled with olive oil and garlic, topped with delicious marinara sauce and cheddar cheese. Comes with garlic bread and their signature salad.
(* *Only eat one piece of bread and ask for no Dressing with the salad.)
* “Hummus” $4.95: Mediterranean Dip made of chickpea, tahini (sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic served with pita bread
* Water with lemon to drink
*** When ordering desert, only order one and share it with a friend or family member. Only take a couple bites or eat only half depending on the portion size!
** Water with lemon to drink
· Frontera Mex-Mex Grill: Snellville, GA
* “Chicken Fajitas” $8-$12 (depending on lunch or dinner): Grilled chicken breast strips with marinated onions and bell peppers served sizzling hot . Served with Mexican rice, refried beans, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo and flour tortillas.
* I normally only order just rice because refried beans are loaded with salt
*be sure to eat only half of your food and put the rest IMMEDIATELY in a to go box!
*Water with lemon to drink.
*Limit yourself on the chips and salsa!!
*** When ordering desert, only order one and share it with a friend or family member. Only take a couple bites or eat only half depending on the portion size!
· Poblano’s Mexican Grill : Lawrenceville, GA
No website, give them a call (770) 979-9490
* “Shrimp Fajitas” $8-$12 (depending on lunch or dinner): Comes with grilled jumbo shrimps with marinated onions and bell peppers served sizzling hot. Served with Mexican rice, refried beans, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo and flour tortillas.
* I normally only order just rice because refried beans are loaded with salt
*be sure to eat only half of your food and put the rest IMMEDIATELY in a to-go box!
*Water with lemon to drink.
*Limit yourself on the chips and salsa!!
*** When ordering desert, only order one and share it with a friend or family member. Only take a couple bites or eat only half depending on the portion size!
· Subway: Snellville, GA
* “Veggie Sub” $3-$5 (depending on 6inch or foot long):
It’s a step by step process!
1.) Ask for a 6inch or Foot Long Wheat
2.) Tell the “Sandwich Artist” it’s a veggie and tell them no cheese.
3.) They will ask if you want it toasted, that is completely up to you if you want your sub toasted or not.
4.) No mayonnaise, No Mustard, No Salt, No Oils, No Vinaigrette!!
5.) Ask for all the veggies except black olives and sweet peppers (aka: pepperoncinis)
6.) Pepper and Oregano only!
7.) Only pay for the sandwich and NOT a combo meal.
***You Do Not Need Chips!!
*If you are on a budget ask them for a cup of water or you can pay for a bottled water.
** Do not eat the apple slices because they are not prepackaged organically.
· Chick-Fil-A: Snellville, GA
* “#7 Char Grilled Chicken Sandwich” $3.66-$5.13:
(depending if you order a small fry)
A boneless breast of chicken, marinated in special seasonings, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted Golden Wheat Bun with dill pickle chips, Green Leaf lettuce, and tomato. Served with 1 package of Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce.Grilled chicken.
** DO NOT EAT THE BBQ sauce!! Nor any ketchup unless it is organic Ketchup.
*Ask for a cup of water or bottled water to drink!
*** Chick-Fil-A has a new feature on their website!! You can now order online!! You can pick up your meal at a certain time or have your meal delivered if you make over $100 purchase.
· Steak N’ Shake: Snellville, GA
* “Grilled Chicken Salad” $5.49: Marinated Grilled Chicken breast, served warm over crispy lettuce blend, along with freshly grated carrots, red cabbage, diced tomatoes, cheddar n’ jack cheese, croutons, and your choice of dressings.
** No cheddar n’ jack cheese, NO croutons, and NO dressing, eat half of your chicken ( the chicken is marinated which equals high amounts of salt) !!
***(If you decide to eat the salad with a dressing be sure to order a balsamic vinegerette or olive oil based dressing on the side!!)
* “Apple Pecan Grilled Chicken Salad” $6.49: Crispy lettuce blend topped with Gala apples, dried cranberries (aka: crasins), mandarin oranges, candied pecans, and warm Grilled Chicken breast, served with with reduced fat berry balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
** No mandarin oranges (due to high fructose corn syrup), NO candied pecans, and NO dressing, eat half of your chicken ( the chicken is marinated which equals high amounts of salt) !!
***(If you decide to eat the salad with the berry dressing be sure to order it on the side!!)
* “ Side of Apples N’ Carmel” $1.99: Five to six Gala apple slices served with a Caramel dip. *MINUS THE CARMEL DIP!!!!
***Water with Lemon to drink
· IHOP: Snellville, GA
*“SIMPLE & FIT Spinach, Mushroom & Tomato Omelette” $5-6: Comes with fresh spinach, mushrooms, onions and Swiss cheese. Topped with diced tomatoes and served with fresh fruit.
**Tell your server NO Cheese on the omelet, you can also order a side of dry wheat toast. (dry wheat toast means it does not come with butter)
**Water with lemon to drink, small glass of milk, or one cup of Coffee with milk and one packet of “Sugar In The Raw” sugar.
(IHOP does not carry “Sugar In The Raw Sugar”; you must bring your own.)
· Taco Mac: Peachtree City, GA
* “Classic Chicken Sandwich” $7-$8: Grilled chicken breast with lettuce, tomato, and onion; served on a cracked wheat bun. **Make sure to ask your sever to serve you the chicken sandwich just like this.
***Instead of French fries order a plain House salad without the fatty extras (ex. Cheese, bacon bits) or you can also order a side of Apple slices. When it comes to dressing order it on the side!!
**Be sure to order a water with lemon to drink
· Golden Corral: Snellville, GA
(**Buffets normally do not have menus)
Stay away from:
1.) All fried foods
2.) From the desert bar (this includes all deserts, Ice cream, and “
3.) Buttery bread
What to do:
4.) If you are not sure how something is cooked, or made, be sure to ask a Manager and not an employee.
5.) Ask your server to bring you rolls that are not buttered on top
6.) When eating salad you control what goes into your salad.
*NO to little cheese or cottage cheese
*NO to little salad dressing
*NO to little processed meats or steak pieces
*NO ICE BURG LETTUCE!!
(you will get more nutrients from greener leafy salads)
*NO TABLE SALT!!!
*** Eat: The Spring Mix, Spinach, Sun flower seeds, almonds, grilled chicken pieces, tiny shrimps, boiled egg pieces, etc.
7.) Eat Grilled or Pan seared items only
8.) Eat fruit for dessert.
9.) Eat one plate of food whatever you eat!
*** Water with lemon to drink only
· Asian Buffet: Stone Mountain, GA ( **Rock Bridge Rd in Wal-Mart shopping center)
NO website, feel free to give them a call (770) 465-8332
Stay away from
1.) All fried foods
2.) Sauces
3.) Desert bar
What to do
4.) If you aren’t sure of how something is cooked or made be sure to ask a manager and not an employee
5.) Eat the steamed white rice instead of chow mein or fried rice.
6.) Eat one plate only
7.) For desert eat fruit only
8.) Drink water with lemon before and during your meal
9.) Limit yourself to two or three pieces of sushi.
· Mimi’s Cafe: Buford, GA
* “classic Chicken Sandwich” $ ?: It is not on the menu online, just ask for a Classic chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and onion. Ill also ask for a plain dry house salad.
* Water with lemon to drink.
*Make sure to say it is your first time because you can receive 4 free yummy muffins. Yes, the muffins are made fresh there!
*** When ordering desert, only order one and share it with a friend or family member. Only take a couple bites or eat only half depending on the portion size!
Thanks For Reading My Blog
The Rogue Foodie
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