caroveg

longanberry

2011-11-11T10:06:00.000-08:00

My coworker introduced me to longanberries recently. They're pretty good and very healthy. They're known as a beauty food and good for the blood because they have so much iron. There's a podcast about them from Best Day Ever that my coworker is letting me listen to. It might be a pay-site now, I don't know. I'm all for free. I'm writing some more about them at my journal on Dr. McDougall's site, here. I'm just using this blog to post the picture.

EDIT: Who says they have so much iron? Doesn't look like they have a lot of iron when you look it up. Confusing info.

45 Minutes to Understand How to Prevent a Heart Attack

2011-08-29T22:54:00.000-07:00

Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains his findings after a year of research. I found this fascinating, including the interview with former President Clinton.

From the video:

"One of the best kept secrets in the country in medicine is that doctors who are practicing aggressive prevention medicine are really seeing heart attacks and strokes disappear from their practices. It's do-able."

Dr. Arthur Agatston

Feel free to spread this video around :)

vegan caprese salad

2011-04-10T12:49:00.001-07:00

I made a vegan caprese salad that's wonderful. I used Vegan Gourmet mozzarella, a tomato (couldn't find heirloom), basil (hard to find, it's too cold out, but found it), and some green lettuce. Seasoned with black pepper and Herbamare original. It's so yum yum. Listening to Brandi Carlile. Good morning.

Another Great Lecture ~

2011-03-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

The Starch Solution

Got Milk?

2011-03-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Hope the movie is big in the US.

there's something to be said for variety

2010-01-12T23:42:00.000-08:00

lately I've been on a chickpea binge, everyday, sometimes for more than one meal, lots of chickpeas with garlic salt seasoning. Very yummy but suddenly today, it's like everything hit my tummy. So a warning - eat variety!!

2009-10-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

3 little bits of green have appeared in my herb planter pot. I'm growing parsley, basil, and chives. I just spray the dirt every so often. I hope more grow than just 3 though.

Cancer Prevention through Nutrition

2009-09-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

A Cure for Cancer? Eating a Plant Based Diet

I first learned about the effects of a plant based diet on cancer when I learned about Ruth Heidrich's story through Dr. McDougall's website.

Later, I found PCRM has a free book about the great benefits of a plant based diet and cancer, and I also read The China Study.

And at an airport, I came across a book called Anticancer, which was very interesting. It's about a brain researcher who finds out he has a brain tumor, has surgery and treatment, but it comes back. The second time he learns more about nutrition and stress-relieving techniques, lifestyle change, and treats his cancer that way. It's really an engrossing book.

Dr. McDougall also talks about cancer prevention.

What's interesting is that it's not just that a plant based diet is so beneficial for fighting and preventing cancer (especially all the antioxidants in fruits, berries, veggies, even brown rice etc.) but the dangers and carcinogens in unhealthy foods and lifestyles.

Meat, dairy, cheese, junk food, lack of exercise.. all provide an environment where cancer cells can grow.

It's explained better in the articles and books I mentioned.

When I get a minute I'm going to come bad and add a bunch more links for this post.

A Reminder

2009-09-23T12:37:00.000-07:00

Snack Food Lies

to go with real food, unprocessed.

The President's Health Care Speech to the Joint Session of Congress

2009-09-09T20:21:00.001-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Ted Kennedy's letter to President Obama

not exactly vegan related but I think it's important

2009-09-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

Low-Wage Workers Are Often Cheated, Study Shows

Also important:

Aspirin Does More Harm than Good in Healthy People

That's why hospitals give you Tylenol!

2009-08-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Whole Foods has cherries! I thought they were all gone. I couldn't resist and splurged on $5.99/lb 2-lb bag. YIKES. At least they are really, especially deslicious. And full of antioxidants.

I'm trying to eat more whole foods rather than processed lately. So far I've been enjoying everything I've had. Last night I made baked potato and yam chips. They are so yummy.

big ol' vat of rice

2009-08-06T21:23:00.001-07:00

A while ago I'd bought 3 bags of Trader Joe's vegan Indian basmati rice (ok, not sure that's what it's called, but that's what it is) and the last one has been sitting in the freezer for some time now.

The rice consists of saffron rice (I think, it's yellow), raisins (which I take out, yick, always hated raisins), peas, chopped red bell peppers, and onions.

Tonight I made some potato baked chips (non-stick pan, sprinkle with garlic salt and Mrs. Dash, bake for some minutes in oven) and chopped up the left over potato (it was a really big one) and nuked it in a casserole. I added chopped zucchini, chickpeas, small can chopped tomatoes with chilies, and also some sauteed spinach (in water with a little garlic salt.)

All together it's a bit spicy (from the canned tomato-chilies) but very yummy and filling. So many complimentary flavors. Mmmmmmm.

I'm not sure what to call it but I'm pretty happy with it. It's one of those left-over, what's-around-the-house kinda meals that actually worked out well. Except the spinach, potato, zucchini, and tomatoes with chilies weren't leftovers, I went out and bought them for this dish. But whatev. Same difference.

good article to read

2009-08-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

How our food choices influence world hunger.

I wish this info would get out more.

I loved this!

2009-07-14T13:35:00.001-07:00

Grocery Store Wars

Chewbroccoli is my favorite!

Interesting

2009-07-07T18:33:00.000-07:00

a politician I like

important article

2009-07-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

Dr. McDougall writes about healthcare

This was in the latest McDougall Newsletter. I wish more people would read it.

ah..

2009-06-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

I like my mayor.

Gavin Newsom: A Model for Universal Health Care Coverage

Waste Not, Want Not

2009-06-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

This deserves a nice posting on both my blogs:

SF Wasted Food Fines

I'm liking my President.

2009-06-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

Not like I'm someone who knows the ins and outs of health care in America or feel qualified to make any kind of critique, but I like that he's busy getting stuff done, and what he says I jive with:

Obama Reasserts Support for Public Plan while AMA Backtracks on Opposition

I also liked this article

Read a lot of health articles today.

very gourmet tonight

2009-06-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I went to Napa and we had dinner at a diner and I had a delicious mushroom sandwich. The mushrooms were so succulent, I loved it.

So last night I happened to be getting some more cherries at a Clement St. produce shop and they had these good looking portabello mushrooms right by the register, like impulse buys, so I bought one.

I made a marinade of:

barbeque sauce
ketchup
soy sauce (San J brand low sodium, no msg)
blueberry preserves (Dalfour)
little water
a chopped garlic clove
I don't think there was anything else..

I marinated it overnight because I was hungry, so I had a yam and a really good red pepper hummus (added more cinnamon and nutmeg this time - it's delish!)

So tonight I baked the mushroom for 15 minutes in the toaster over, cooked a few small white potatoes and mixed them with the honey mustard, and chopped up a fresh tomato. It's a really yummy mix. I'm having it with some cherries on the side.

I love summer! How can Phillip not like summer? What is wrong with that boy!?

really good curry

2009-06-08T21:57:00.000-07:00

1 can tomatoes with green peppers of some kind in it
1 can of whole peeled tomatoes (but next time I'll use diced, it was what I had)
1 can chickpeas, rinsed, drained
1 can mixed veggies of peas, carrots, lima beans, and string beans, rinsed, drained
part of a peeled apple, diced

1/2 - 1 banana

Trader Joe's frozen veggie biryani

Trader Joe's herb garden salad mix

1 lemon

spices:
Madras brand curry
cinnamon
red chili pepper powder
little bit ginger

I love it, it was really simple to make. You put all the first part into a pot and heat it up on the stove, adding the apple bits last, adding the spices and then covering and put it on low. Then nuke the biryani rice for only 4 minutes in a casserole. Then serve yourself and add sliced banana to the plate and sprinkle some lemon juice on the salad. The only thing I was missing was roti but I guess I can pick some up tomorrow. This turned out really good, I know I'll make it again. It's also really easy and quick. And lots of leftovers.

pesto yet again

2009-06-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

I made a promising pesto yet again last night. Recipe:

1 bunch basil leaves
2 garlic cloves
few artichoke hearts
rice milk
nutritional yeast

I blended everything. It's a bit more liquid than my last attempt and also tastes more mellow, it actually tasted good though! I'll try it tonight for dinner. Plan is a can or two of mixed veggies (lima beans, corn, string beans, peas, carrots) and some cooked potato should be good. The rice milk has a little oil but definitely less than using straight oil. hmmm... I'm glad I have it ready for me when I finally get home. Although it's Monday so I'm mostly thinking about sleepin.

pesto pasta

2009-05-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

I made pesto again this morning. This time I used this recipe (half stolen from the web somewhere..)

1 bunch of basil
1 garlic clove
1 can of mixed veggies including peas, carrots, string beans, and lima beans I think
artichoke hearts
water
arame seaweed
nutritional yeast
whole wheat spiral pasta

I think I need to use more garlic next time. I only used one little part of the whole garlic, and I think it needs more. The nutritional yeast has once again salvaged the meal. I was also thinking someday when I have $ to waste I'll get a can of black olives and throw a couple olives into the blender too. I forgot to chop the arame so it's too long and stringy too.

But it's fat-free, no oil. Could use a little more garlic and salt to taste I guess. Not too bad with nutritional yeast. I like nutritional yeast anyways.

But it's not bad. Maybe I have to add more pesto to the pasta. I still have a lot of both left over.

found an article I like

2009-05-20T09:11:00.003-07:00

Check out all the health benefits of plant foods:

A Recipe for Longevity

mmm..blueberries..

Topic Today: Health Care

2009-04-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

Ever since watching Michael Moore's Sicko, and even before then actually, I've wanted to learn more about health care in America and do what little bit I can to promote basic coverage for all. On that note, I present:

Something Is Rotten at PBS

A health care documentary story.

Shame on Frontline!

*

This was shared by a nurse in the vegan health forum I frequent:

Real People Denied Real Health Care

Learn more about HR676

* * *

Please share.

Environmental Impact of Veg Diet

2009-04-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

Pretty impressive argument for switching to a plant-focused diet:

The Breathtaking Effects of Cutting Back on Meat

Enjoy.

* * *

I know, I haven't posted anything about the cruise. I've been busy with life in general. A few things have come up ~ work has gotten a little more busy because there are new brands and updates to add, I've been hanging out with the Dutch intern and will be spending more time showing her around CA, and I've restarted my memory course. That is time-intensive. Yesterday I went swimming after work, bussed home, talked with my mom, and by the time I was ready to get cracking on Lesson 7, my lids were too heavy to concentrate. I did manage to make a total of 100 Cicero images which I can now use when I attempt the exercises tonight. But that's another story.

From T. Colin Campbell, PhD

2009-03-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

From T. Colin Campbell, PhD

Healthcare Article

He was on the cruise and I met him and told him I enjoyed his presentations and appreciated his book, The China Study.

Another great article:
Weight Loss Hype: Why Counting Calories Doesn't Work

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T02:16:00.001-08:00

Found a good website I want to share: End World Hunger

Hope everyone has a happy healthy 2009.

Off ta bed

general update

2008-12-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

The facebook McDougalling group is getting somewhere with the movie night. We need to set a date, time, find a location, book it, unless someone can host, and try to get the Skype thing going also. I think it will be fun.

Lately I've been enjoying quick simple meals. I like yams, beans (either pinto or black), and salsa with some cinnamon sprinkled on top. The chili is still good but a little oily. The yam is the longest part of it - peel, chop, nuke. Another yummy combo - the kale salad I love and Dr. McDougall's chicken flavored ramen or noodles. I put the kale in the little cup of noodles. Then I put popcorn on top with cinnamon sprinkles. I think my eating habits are getting stranger by the day but who cares? Tastes good.

I haven't been exercising except riding my bike to work this morning. Oh - last night a guy fixed my bike! Nice guy. I got free lights from the SF bike coalition (and then paid $25 to join them but it's a good cause and I get discounts at Rainbow now) and while I was in line this guy started tinkering with the chains and back tire and fixed it. I was knocked off my bike a few weeks ago and my bike was broken since. Since you had to have your bike to get the lights I had to haul my bike down there on the bus, prety sad. I'm not sure if the gears are all working correctly though - seems the 1st level doesn't want to shift so I'll probably have to get it tuned. Still, I was happy to save the moola.

It's only 7 but I'm really sleepy. Ciao for now.

caroveggie takes exercise

2008-11-23T21:05:00.000-08:00

There's a McDougalling group on Facebook and I'm trying to get people there to meet up for a McDougall DVD. Not sure where to host it, maybe the library. Which may be a bit of work, or maybe someone won't mind hosting. Wish I could host but it's not really practical at my place. C'est la vie.

I've been getting more exercise now my back and neck are feeling better. I'm still careful and I'll be avoiding rock climbing, cartwheels, hand stands, bowling, trampoline-ing, and high-energy club dancing, but biking, swimming (especially), running, and a little lindy hop are fine :)

I went all the way downtown to the Central YMCA to go swimming tonight but it was closed. I should really get in the habit of checking schedules online rather than following whims. So instead I watched a health video podcast on my iPod on the bus (it was very interesting, too) and collected my gym bag from work and brought it home. Guess I'll be bringing it back to work tomorrow. C'est la vie again.

clean yer veggies

2008-11-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

Cornell food scientist recommendations for cleaning fruits & veggies

r-marie from McDougall suggests using little bit of soap and rinsing with vinegar

I like r-marie's suggestion. Right now I use plain water but I may switch over in the future to going with a little soap in a big bowl followed by a rinse, spritz of white vinegar, and then water rinse again.

I'm also trying to get better at visiting the downtown farmer's market rather than just going to Delanos (across the street.) I want to support the local organic farmers, but it does mean planning ahead.

stop unnecessary animal research

2008-10-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

Petition the new President:

good petition to sign

I heart PCRM.

* * *

I made black bean chili but it's not as good as Amy's brand. My roomie says I need to cook it for hours and use real sauteed onions and peppers, not just spices. The chili is spicy hot but not flavorful. :( I think I'll have to dig around until I find a good vegan no oil recipe and attempt it another time with the crockpot. Even with the yams, eh. My tongue is still burning. Good chili is really good but bad chili is just painful. I'm going to try sliced banana on top. Sometimes the sweetness counteracts the spice when I over-do it with my lentil curry, and it turns out good.

* * *

Today I fixed the flat on my tire and got the locking wheel and seat thingies so there's a little less worry when I lock up my bike. Tomorrow I have a DMV appointment to renew my license. I wonder if they're going to want to take a new pic. I need a haircut. ~~:)

back to life, back to reality

2008-10-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

Haven't been the healthiest of vegans of late. But I think I'll return to better habits once I'm back home and life returns to usual. I miss my life. While it's been nice having a whole house to putter around in (I've been cat-sitting and staying in the East Bay at my parents'), I really miss having a stove I understand. Also tv tends to suck me in, and I hate commercials. I like having a tv that doesn't work except for DVDs. I end up being or at least feeling much more productive. Also I've read tv makes you passive, or your thinking passive, and I can vouch for feeling more passive lately. Just weeks ago I was biking to work - from the Inner Richmond to downtown - battling hills, sun, and wind - and now walking to BART can be a chore. I think it also relates to what I've been feeding my body. I've allowed myself vegan foods I usually avoid and even vegetarian foods, junk foods, and treats ...iyiyi. Anyway, I'm looking forward to returning to my life soon.

Also, I read this article, which points out stuff I already knew but it's good to be reminded about -- food health politics basically.

I've happened across two other articles of a similar bent today. These are written by T. Colin Campbell, a well-respected researcher who wrote The China Study. They're posts from his Huffington blog. Enjoy:

First Post

Letter to the President

I've been reading the politics portion of the Huffington Post - I didn't realize health was discussed on there also.

* * *

Tonight I vote!

That's right - SF registered voters can go down to City Hall and vote early. I missed absentee voting last time and now I'm glad about that because then I'd have to worry about being home to get the mail. At any rate my work is only one Muni stop from the Civic Center and I get off at 4pm so hopefully I can get in there and vote before it closes at 5pm.

easy menu

2008-10-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

I like trying new recipes out but I'm also trying to simplify my life. So I think I'll write out an "easy" menu which will be my regular menu I can always fall back on, cuz it's stuff that's fast, easy, and tasty enough to me I can eat it daily and be filled & happy:

breakfast:
- McDougall cup of oatmeal (the one with cranberries is my favorite)
I know I can make my own for cheaper but I haven't practiced the recipe yet, and this one I only have to add hot water from the water cooler.
- fruit (this is if I've bought it from Whole Foods the day before)
- or vegan quesadilla (corn tortilla/homemade hummus (thus oil free - blended chickpeas and salsa or roasted red pepper)/nutritional yeast) This is also tasty but involves more preparation. Still doable at work though.

my favorite lunch:
- Whole Foods kale salad. This is sooooo good. Who knew? I don't eat the avocado (fattening cuz it's oily) and I worry a little about the flax seed oil in it (same reason - oils are fattening) but the rest of my diet (when I'm good) is generally healthy so I guess I should be fine.
- McDougall's cup of lime black beans
- premade brown rice (cook in bulk and fridged)
- Casa Sanchez salsa
- sliced bananas
The rice/black beans/salsa is good mix, and easy to prepare at work (nuke the rice, add hot water to the black beans cup, and a scoop of salsa to the mix. I seem to have this lunch a lot because it's so tasty and convenient. I wanted to try making my own beans but I have to work out the recipes for that. At least I've stopped buying the brown rice from the Whole Foods food bar. That was pricey, $7.99/lb and rice is heavy.

dinner:
varies, but favorites include:
vegan french toast
pasta & sauce
yam and black bean chili (Amy's brand)
Amy's brand soup (low-fat/dairy free) and extra veggie or brown rice added

Dinner I have more time so I don't mind cooking. When I eat out typically it's rice and veggies or baked potato and veggies.

I also want to throw in sweet potatoes into the mix (the white kind, I call the red/orange ones yams to differentiate.) Sweet potatoes are yummy and fairly quick to cook in the microwave. And I can eat them plain and they're filling.

So hopefully this'll help me remember to stop wasting $ on time-consuming items that take forever to get out of my cupboards.

rice milk

2008-09-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

I made rice milk today. It was pretty easy. Here's the recipe I used, which I found online:

1 cup cooked brown rice
4 cups water
blend
strain

To strain I used my big shallow strainer and a double layer of cheesecloth over a bowl - that seemed to work well. Towards the end I squeezed some more out with the cheesecloth. Then I used my roommates single cup coffee funnel thingy to get it into the containers. I ended up with quite a bit of quality rice milk, more than anticipated, so I had to find containers. I use it when I make french toast, tea, oatmeal, or for smoothies/vegan ice-cream. I'm pretty happy with it. Now I don't have to waste any more money on rice dream, and I don't have the added oil either.

I cleaned out an old dressing bottle and filled it with the rice milk so I can take it to work.

I also want to learn how to cook beans properly. Besides my salsa hummus, I like Amy's brand of low-fat black bean chili, but it'd be much cheaper if I learned to make it myself. I have a lot of cans of beans right now so I'm going to search for some recipes so I can just use what I have. Eventually I want to get to the point where I use dry beans rather than canned - that'd save me a lot of money also.

I want to get better about bringing my lunch to work and eating in. Save la moola.

The other delicious recipe I want to make myself is the kale avocado salad from Whole Foods. Minus the avocado. I can eat it everyday but it does have flax seed oil and anyways it'd be cheaper to make it myself. I think I read somewhere for kale you have to boil it for 2 minutes. I'll try. I also got a book called Greens, Glorious Greens so I'm gonna poke in there also.

World Vegetarian Day

2008-09-23T07:47:00.001-07:00

I went last year for part of it and had a great time. This year I'm going to try to catch more. Hopefully I can drum up someone to go with who'd also be interested. If not I'll just go alone and make friends.

World Veg Day in SF

Choose Wisely

2008-09-17T00:08:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin's War on Wolves

She's not getting my vote.

vegan french toast

2008-09-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

I made this from Dr. McDougall's Quick & Easy Cookbook. It's a combo of 2 recipes:

1 banana, sliced in chunks
1/2 cup or so rice milk*
cinnamon
little bit vanilla extract
1/2 loaf sourdough baguette sliced thinly

You blend everything but the bread to a liquid mixture and then dunk the bread into the mixture. Cook each side about 2 minutes on a nonstick pan about medium high. You don't need oil or butter. Turned out great. I ate it with pure maple syrup. Yum yum yum.

*You can make even healthier (and cheaper) rice milk yourself by blending cooked brown rice and water, equal parts, and then using cheesecloth to strain out the rice milk. I haven't done it yet but plan to try it sometime. Commercial rice milk has oil of some kind added, I think even the low-fat variety. You can also choose a whole grain low-glycemic bread like rye or pumpernickel although I'm not sure how they'd taste as french toast.

The DC Trip Pics

2008-09-13T19:42:00.001-07:00

From my Organic Consumers newsletter

2008-09-10T11:04:00.000-07:00

Lesson of the Week:
School Lab Rats Freak Out on GE Food
Schools in Wisconsin are showing kids the dangers of genetically engineered (GE) junk food with some unique science class experiments. Sister Luigi Frigo repeats the experiment every year in her second grade class in Cudahy. Students feed one group of mice unprocessed whole foods. A second group of mice are given the same junk foods served at most schools. Within a couple of days, the behavior of the second group of mice develop erratic sleeping schedules and become lazy, nervous and even violent. It takes the mice about three weeks on unprocessed foods to return to normal. According to Frigo, the second graders tried to do the experiment again a few months later with the same mice, but the animals have already learned their lesson and refuse to eat the GE food.

I feel sorry for the mice actually.

You can read the full article here:

Why Schools Should Remove Gene-Altered Foods from Their Cafeterias

been cookin

2008-09-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

Tonight I made vegan ice-cream. It was quite a production because I have a (new) small food processor which I had to learn how to use. I should've used a smaller portion at first of the frozen bananas and chopped them up a bit more before attempting to blend. In the end, it turned out delicious. I used WonderSlim Wonder Cocoa, that a friend from the McDougall forums recommends. However because of my mistakes with the blending I had to add more rice milk so it would blend at all, and my concoction was smoother and more like a frozen yogurt than the crumb-like texture she makes. It was pretty good. When I have time I want to experiment with my food processor and try other things. Or maybe I'll invest in a great blender. That would make life easier. For now it's cool though. I'm watching the moola.

Also tonight I attempted the Whole Foods Kale and Avocado salad at home. Minus the avocado and flax seed oil. I blanched (?) the kale by running it under hot water in the sink. I was just tired and trying to save time. It turned a brighter green. By the way, the kale I bought was from Whole Foods and NOT Delanos, which has dried-out, old kale, unworthy of me. I squeezed 2 lemons into a bowl and added some salt and pepper and half a chopped onion. Then I mixed in the kale. I think it should be good but it was pretty wet so it will probably be too lemony. Also the kale was not dried out but was just slightly on the wilted side. The key must be to get really fresh, vibrant kale. I'll know tomorrow how it turned out. It's hard to find great kale apparently. Small selection.

I'm pretty tired. I also wanted to cook curry lentils but no time.

nigh nigh

Pharma and Disease Marketing Videos

2008-09-08T20:32:00.001-07:00

From Dr. Novick's section on the McDougall site:

Lisa Bero, PhD from UCSF School of Medicine

education

2008-08-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking of going back to school. I'm looking into the nutrition/biology field, vegan, of course, but it's not like it's an easy path to find. Registered Dieticians don't have an accredited vegan program, even though I know from my own readings that it's been the best diet to help heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions, and I think the healthiest around. I came across a fact sheet on the ADA website (American Dietetic Association) - or maybe it was another website but related to that one. Anyway, it was about milk and it was very pro-milk, so I know the dairy industry has their hands in the ADA. Why would cow's milk that's made for a baby cow be something that's healthy or proper for humans, especially after the age of weaning? Dr. McDougall has good info about what's behind all the cow's promotion and calcium requirements, the science of how cow milk acts in humans, etc. but it's quite a bit to go into here. Suffice it to say it's only made me more determined to be more diligent in getting it fully out of my diet. Which means I'll probably be a pain when I'm hanging with friends but hopefully they will understand.

I want to go to one of Dr. McDougall's Advanced Study Weekends, and things like that, but right now I need to save the moola. Between the chiropractor and trips I'm taking lately I've got to watch it. But it would be good to have all those doctors and nutritionists in one place so I can ask them what they would recommend as far as furthering my education. I am also looking for something not terribly, terribly expensive, since I'm going to be paying for it all myself and as I go, no loans or credit cards for me.

There are also a lot of online and distance learning institutions, so there's an option. I think it'd be fun to go out-of-state though, because I'd like to see more of the world too.

So for right now the search continues.

Happenings

2008-07-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

Tuesday I got a street cleaning ticket. :7

I found out Wednesday but also had a small stroke of good luck - someone left a little carved table on the corner for the taking. It's just the size I need for my room. (The one I have is too big and gets in the way. I have the knee bruises to prove it.) There was also an ugly broken chair and a lampshade. People in San Francisco leave things they no longer want out on the street for anyone to take. The table needs some love but the size and design are perfect, and it is really light weight, so I decided to store it in my car until things are cleared out enough in my room so I can work on it and make it shine. I'll sand it and stain it, should be pretty and fit well with the room.

I found out from Dr. McDougall that I'll need a webcam for the class so I did a lot of research on the internet to find Mac-compatible webcams. It seems the ones that give great quality are expensive and most aren't Mac-compatible anyways. I read so many forums about it I got the drift of the idea that I could use a mini DV camcorder that connects with a firewire and then end up with high quality video and autofocus which would help for filming the group. I didn't want to invest in a mini dv camcorder but I also didn't want dingy video either.

So I was basically a bit thrown but still searching and eventually what happened is I came across a website called dealmac.com which lists great deals on Mac electronics every day. I saw there was a mini DV camcorder for only $135 but the sale expired today and I wanted to search some more for a decent webcam.

It seems there really isn't a decent webcam for Mac because the iSight (or something) was discontinued by Apple because of some mercury danger standards. A lot of forums talked about using Logitech webcams for Mac (they're advertised only as PC and are great quality for PC) but some of them also said a lot of the features that work well for a PC won't work at all for a Mac. The native-working Mac webcams seem to be limited and don't have as good image quality. There was also a Unibrain camera, which would run on a firewire and would give decent quality video but I figured if I was going to spend $140 or so for the Unibrain I might as well get the mini DV camcorder from dealmac, and then I'd have a digital camcorder also. And finally Logitech just announced last month they'll be releasing a webcam just for Mac. It should be great, just what I'm looking for only for high quality video calls with Skype you need an Intel Core Duo and I have a Solo, and the Logitech Mac webcam price range is still up there competing with the actual mini DV camcorder. So if I got that one (it might not even be out yet) I don't think I'd even get the high quality video for Skype because of my processor.

Can you tell I spent the whole day researching webcams?

Anyway, I decided to go ahead and get the mini DV camcorder and arranged to pick it up at the Circuit City in San Rafael, because although shipping was free, I didn't want to worry about a package left outside the gate if it wouldn't fit under it. I bought it today so I got the $15 off discount (yay!) I thought I'd enjoy the ride out there and collected some CDs for the car (all my CDs are in my room because I hardly use my car any more because my work's downtown). I get to my car with all my CDs and my stereo has been stolen again! All the doors are unlocked. At least they didn't break the window this time. That cast a shadow over me, despite getting the great deal on the camcorder.

I also bought the firewire, a memory card, some mini DV tapes, and then when I got home I realized I needed something else because I only have one firewire port on the back of my Mini Mac and the computer itself was using it. So I got a 6-port firewire hub and just finished trying everything out with Skype. I don't have anyone to call and really test it out but so far the video is awesome quality and everything looks like it will work smoothly. Hooray!!

I guess I just now have to find out if I'll need a microphone or if the camera's mic will work. Mini Macs don't come with a built-in mic.

Also, the room needs work. I'm going to try to use my own room to have a group here and we'll work with Dr. McDougall until everything's ready and we have a better place for the class. I have some redecorating ideas.

- Replace my beloved bed with a futon, so people can sit.
- Donate some stuff
- Finish painting along trim
- General tidy up

Also, I want to finish the heart mosaic table and the new engraved table, but that's not a rush.

I'm glad I have the "webcam" part basically figured out.

Tomorrow the mic. And start on the room.

EDIT: I forgot to mention two things:

1. No, I did not forget to lock my car doors. I have a Honda Accord and the door locks suck. Someone broke in. (While driving over the windy Golden Gate Bridge sans music, I noticed a nice little wheeze coming from the passenger door's window. Hmpht.)

2. My laptop is too old to support DSL which is why hosting the group at my own humble quarters has become more attractive. Not to mention more time for developing the course structure.

Your Update

2008-05-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

I heard back from Dr. McDougall promptly the next day. He's working on the curriculum but can provide the Skype sessions with the class, and as the curriculum isn't done yet he didn't give me recommendations for which DVDs to get, although I plan on getting all of his at least. I want them for my own reference and knowledge. I've consumed his articles, newsletters, and books, for the most part, and it never hurts to brush up on the info, particularly if I want to teach it. I like learning it anyways.

I haven't heard back from my friend Shenna, although that may because I used the wrong email, although I tried two of hers. She's probably busy. But, at Jen and Phil's bday dinner, I was seated smack next to Louis and close to Jen's friend Joe, who's an accountant. Louis gave me great advice about how to do taxes properly and using the Schedule C for deductions pertaining to the class. :) Thank you, Louis, although you'll never read this. The information was then verified, almost exactly, by the accountant, which was pretty funny. I luckily don't have to worry about setting myself up as any kind of business, at least at first.

I told Dr. McDougall I'd be ready to get the DVDs in about a month, which gives me time to handle my finances. See previous post for info on current and expected expenses. Luckily, I was wrong about the $1000 hospital bill. My insurance covered that, so I was right not to pay it. There is still my car, Disneyland, swimming, a chiropractor, and possibly a laptop. I hope my own old one will work or something can be provided with the room. That's one thing I have to check with Shelton Studios about. I need to make sure the Skype goes through the speakers. I'm not very techie. Also, maybe I'll have to get a little microphone too.

Yesterday I check out the Central YMCA. It's in the Tenderloin, close to the Main Library. There are 2 YMCAs near my work, that one and the Embarcadero one. Today I checked out the Embarcadero one. Let me give you my sums up:

Central YMCA:
Did not like getting there, but I went from Geary down to it. The walk smelled like garbage and dirty people. Phew! Today I went from Civic Center muni stop (near Main Library) and up to it, not as bad, and quicker. Once you're inside you're okay. The pool is small but not too crowded. It's in the basement and feels cozy. The YMCA is spread out vertically and they have a nice roof garden, yoga classes, etc, all included with your membership, which is $51 without towels, $56 with.

Embarcadero YMCA:
Larger, more crowded, nicer area, more spacious, but at the same time, didn't seem to have as much offered. The running track was the tarmac on top of the un-gardened roof. View on the roof not that awesome. View at treadmill machines beautiful, you look out over the Bay. "Two" pools - or one long one, split with a barrier. The lap side has more lanes and longer lanes. However, I'm not the best swimmer out there, so shorter lanes would do my little swim-ego good :) More spacious locker room, although it's a bit of a maze. However, I tend to prefer the cozier, less-people, more real feel of Central, rather than the more classical "gym" feel of Embarcadero. The $65 price tag has something to do with it. Not to mention the Embarcadero YMCA never gave me any 3 day pass, while the chatty, nice guy at Central made my 3 day pass a 4.

So I think it's gonna be the Central Y pour moi. I'm pretty happy about it. I thought it'd take me longer to get home but it's not that bad. I can just walk about 2 blocks to Market, catch a Muni for 2 stops, and then I can take any bus along Market going toward home. With the Embarcadero, I think it would actually take longer, because I'd have to walk up to Market and then up to where the buses are, even though initially I thought Embarcadero would be the quickest way home.

I have until the 30th with my Central pass, and then I can join on the first. I went swimming today and I already feel it helped my neck, although lugging a backpack with too much equipment probably didn't help it. But one needs to be a be-specked, ear-plugged, hair-capped, nearly blind looking dork to swim unobstructedly. (Or try to.)

While swimming my happily shorter laps, I thought that the Y would also be a great place for Dr. McDougall's health class, once everything is up and running smoothly. I don't know if it'd be allowed, but when the time is right I'll look into it.

Finances and Marketing Ideas

2008-05-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Last night I emailed Dr. McDougall to let him know what I'm up to. I need to know which DVDs I need to buy and also more about the curriculum and what he'll charge. I've also had other ideas about how to market which I want to outline here for my future reference. The other thing is I have to figure out the finances of it all. I also emailed my acting friend Shenna who has an MBA. She keeps her receipts when we eat and talk acting because she knows how to do the deductions properly. Anyway, I offered to buy her dinner if she'd let me pick her brain about how I set up the business side of this.

Here are the financial issues juggling round my head right now:

First, though, I must preface by saying that I'm a Dave Ramsey girl. I no longer have any shame or embarrassment in sharing that. I listen to his podcasts regularly and I've come to believe in his philosophy, which is: no debt and no credit. If I don't have the cash, I don't buy it. Since reading his book, The Total Money Makeover and listening to his free podcasts, I have paid off my credit cards and gotten on a budget. I still owe my parents $1700 for my car, but I want to pay them $2000 because it's taken me a long time to pay them back. But the point I'm making is that I don't want to use credit cards ever again, because credit cards now mean to me: I don't have the cash to buy it. I don't want to get all fancy and flexible with my spending, banking on my next paycheck before it's there. I've just accepted that if I don't have the cash for it, I can't afford it, so I won't get it.

Of course, just as I'd like to get started on teaching Dr. McDougall, a number of things have come up:

1. I can pay off my car with my next paycheck and be totally debt free :)

2. I want to go to Disneyland for a week with my out-of-state family in September. I feel strongly about this because my nephews are young and I hardly get to see them. I want to share in their childhood and hang out with my fam. Cost for this: ~ $500-600.

3. I was hit by a car last January and my neck is still bugging me. I saw a specialist who recommended swimming and a chiropractor. I don't belong to a gym (being a Ramsey girl) and chiropractors aren't covered with my insurance. I'm thinking of joining the YMCA and swimming 3 times a week to help my neck out. The specialist explained about the benefit of swimming because it keeps an even distribution of weight and strengthens the neck, back, and shoulder muscles while keeping my alignment. Even if I can't afford a chiropractor yet, I want to fit in swimming. I'm hoping the YMCA expense and later on the chiropractor will be covered by whatever happens with the settlement I should get. YMCA, if I remember correctly, the last time I joined (then quit to save $): $135 initial, $60 each month.

4. I also have an about $1000 hospital bill that I never paid. But as it seems that this settlement thing is going to take a while, I'd also like to pay that off and get it off my chest, just so I don't have to see the regular bill for it that keeps coming. I should be reimbursed for that also. Eventually.

5. I have to purchase the DVDs from Dr. McDougall. I think that will run about $200-$300.

6. I may also have to invest in a laptop for the class. I will have to check that out, because I'm not sure if Shelton Studios can provide that also, and let me get a Skype account on there. How much are decent laptops? I happen to like Macs, sadly. Macs are pricey. Oh well. Beggars can't be choosers. Also, I have my own clunky heavy laptop of a thing that might work if it takes a DSL connection. I will have to figure this out.

By the way, I got the final word from the library about trying to do this program there. In a word: No. Their rooms are strictly only free to non-profits and library-related organizations, besides all the other unwelcoming rules about not having an on-going program. It looks like Shelton Studios it will be. That's fine. I'm happy with Shelton Studios. I like it.

Now, on to Marketing Ideas:

My other marketing ideas I actually got from the man who corresponded with me after I put my ad on Craigslist looking for a room. He suggested Myspace and sites like that. I think that's an excellent idea.

1. Craigslist ads

2. Fliers at Rainbow Grocery, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, wellness clinics, yoga places, gyms, hospitals (hopefully), or outside of hospitals stores on the telephone poles near them. Also near large size clothing stores (hope no one takes offense at that, but this program also helps you lose weight).

3. Business cards and word-of-mouth. That would be my word-of-mouth, especially at first. I'm chatty about this.

4. Set up a Myspace, facebook, and the like for this.

5. Set up a website.

6. I also thought that once I get the program going I can see if one of those big corporations which pays for their employee's gym memberships (to give the employees incentive to stay healthy and thus lower the company's health care costs) -- I'm wondering if I could set something up with them where I'd run the program to teach their employees this way of eating which reverses and prevents heart disease. I could also make recommendations for their company's cafeteria.

As you can see, there's a lot I want to do but I have to figure out a lot also. I think I'll poke into Excel and try to budget this out so I can make it happen. I'm also thinking of finding some odd jobs or a temporary part-time job to get some more money quickly. One thing I know, credit cards are not an option.

Under Da Bridge

2008-05-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

Today I checked out Shelton Studios and I liked it! $20 for a small classroom that looks like a nice, clean, small theatre for acting classes. The floor and chairs are black. The chairs are nice chairs, like old-fashioned theatre row seats. There's a second higher level for the back row (there are two rows.) There's a black curtain in front and the walls around are white. Above there's a white screen that can roll down and a projector over the seats. The place also has DSL and a small kitchen on the side. The bathroom is large with small shiny black square tiles and a big mirror. It looks like a high-class hotel bathroom. Everything is perfect! It will work. The only thing I'm worried about is getting students who are willing to pay $100. I think it's reasonable, but the program won't be do-able without enough students.

Ok, there's more I'm worried about. If I use Shelton Studios then obviously I will have to somehow set this up as a business, but I don't know how to do it. I think I'll ask my friend Shenna. She has an MBA and uses it in her acting career to write off things. She must know the stuff I have to do. And what about taxes? Don't business have to do taxes each quarter? That sounds sucky to me.

Tomorrow I'll go to the Main Library and see what more I can find out about using one of their rooms. I'm thinking Shelton Studios is the way to go though, because the library has a lot of rather unfriendly sounding rules... like only 3 days for each event, and no continual booking. So my program might not work for their situation. Not to mention I don't know how I'll fit in regarding the non-profit aspect.

I'm still keeping the $100 price tag in mind, and I'm pretty happy with Shelton. I feel like I have something to fall back on or use if nothing else better comes up. I just hope I can get students. Don't people want to get healthy?

By the way, Shelton Studios is located on Embarcadero, directly under the Bay Bridge, in Pier 26.

Places, places, places

2008-05-21T21:26:00.000-07:00

Today I called back Shelton Studios, which has a classroom or room I can rent. I spoke with Matt and he quoted me $20 an hour for the room, a kitchen, and equipment I'll need. So it sounds do-able depending on what Dr. McDougall will charge. I am thinking of charging $100 for 4 classes ($25 a class). Each class is 2 hours, so that's pretty reasonable if you ask me. I have to be able to cover Dr. McDougall's fees, rent, and food. I hope I can get students.

After work I went once again to the Western Addition Library. This was my third time there, and still I could not talk to the head hancho. But a more experienced looking librarian told me that most likely I would not be allowed the room because my program didn't initially sound non-profit, and they were strictly non-profit, but to try going downtown to the Main Library and stating my case for them. I'm sort of in the middle of the requirements, because I'm willing to do this for free but I have to cover the food and Dr. McDougall's charge. If it's possible for me to make a little money while I'm doing this, that'd be great, but I don't want to turn anyone off by charging a fee. What can I do though? The Cancer Project offers free classes and they had very few regulars in the class I went to. Most of the people kind of just came and went, whoever happened to be shopping at Whole Foods at the time. Also, Whole Foods wouldn't even lower their sound system! The poor class couldn't see the TV with all the glare and could barely hear it, so overall it was pretty sad. The instructor was great though, and I liked the food samples. Got some good meal ideas from that.

I think a heart disease prevention and reversal class is really needed, although I'm not sure if there's a great demand for it. Most people are not that afraid of getting cancer, especially if they don't smoke. But a lot of people struggle with their cholesterol and losing weight, and don't really know the principles of the right fuel for the body to keep it healthy and (chronic) disease free.

I've also been thinking about where I'll be marketing the class. So far I've thought of:

- Craigslist
- Fliers at Whole Foods, Rainbow Foods, Trader Joe's (if possible), and other similar establishments
- Fliers at gyms or the YMCA (if they'll let me)
- Fliers at libraries
- Fliers at wellness-type places, like spas and maybe yoga places
- Fliers at certain hospital locations if possible to reach patients with heart disease

I can also make myself business cards! That sounds like fun. I wonder what they should say. I might have to name this something... I wonder if I'll have to run it as a business. I'm already planning on opening a separate checking account just to keep things clear. I'll start with a bit of money in there and that will be for business expenses, and everything related to that account will be business related. I wonder if I should see an accountant. This is beginning to get over my head.

Anyway, it might be pretty easy if the library lets me use their rooms. Although the initial paperwork I read looked pretty restrictive.

Once again, I repeat, I hope this works out.

Progress!

2008-05-19T20:30:00.001-07:00

Well I know it's been a good long time since I last posted. I'm happy to report I've actually made progress toward a project I've had in my head for quite some time now!

As my (probably only one) reader knows (hi sis!), I follow (or try to) the heart-healthy program designed by Dr. McDougall. It prevents and reverses heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and MS, and now there is more and more evidence that it also increases your chances of preventing cancer, among other good things. Dr. McDougall has designed a curriculum so that long time "McDougallers" can teach his program to others via DVDs, presentations, and live Skype one-on-one and email with the Doctor himself.

I was interested in teaching his program right when I first heard of this opportunity in one of his free newsletters, however, I just don't have the room, the kitchen space, a large enough TV, etc. So I kept it in the back of my mind for a while but couldn't really see a way to make it happen.

Then last week I went to a physical therapy appointment. It was for a back class and I got there early. I sat next to a man who was very friendly and had had a stroke. He was paralyzed on the right hand side, blind in one eye, and could only say 1 or 2 words at the time. He was very interested in me and he and his companion chatted with me. I suspected his stroke was due to heart disease, and that was verified by the lady with him. (Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, and most strokes are caused by heart disease, so my assumption was not off base.) I showed him the book I had with me -- Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, and the lady told me their whole family had made drastic changes. I wish those changes had come prior to his stroke. He was in such good spirits but everything was a struggle and I really felt for him. The encounter really nailed it home to me, because I feel priviledged to really understand what a person needs to do to be healthy and prevent these kinds of chronic diseases whose effects are so devastating. It is one thing to read about statistics, but it is another to see a live human being in front of you suffering.

Spurred to start moving with my plan, first things first, and that means I need a classroom. I put an add on craigslist, and just to give you an idea of what I'm up to and need, here's the ad for your perusal:

Health Teacher Looking for a Classroom (SF)

Reply to: hous-683755435@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-05-16, 6:35PM PDT

Hi,

I'd like to run a program created by Dr. McDougall which teaches people how to change their diets to lose weight and reverse heart disease, among other health issues his program helps. However, I live with 3 roommates and my kitchen is so small it's barely there, so I need to find a suitable location with these amenities:

- A kitchen large enough to do a cooking demonstration for 4-20 people

- Comfortable chairs for 4-20 people set up as in a classroom

- DVD player

- TV large enough for 4-20 people

- Computer with high speed internet connection and good speakers

- The computer monitor should be the proper size for the audience (or newer TVs take computer connections) or a projector connected to the computer

The curriculum will be four classes that can be presented over 8 hours. I can thus present the class over 8 hours on a weekend day, or over 4 evenings. Another possibility might be 2 weekday evenings and 1 weekend day.

I would like to do this for free, but Dr. McDougall understandably will charge a reasonable fee in the future for using his name and for his time in answering questions and providing direct, personal assistance via email and Skype. I will thus have to charge a fee to the participants, but as I don't know how successful I can be gathering a group willing to pay for this information regularly, I thought I'd post here to see if there is anyone who'd like to make a long-term arrangement with me.

For instance, if you travel regularly and would like your home and pets well taken care of in your absence, I can do that in exchange for using the home to conduct these classes regularly. You are, of course, welcome to go through the class for free.

More information about the program I want to teach can be found at Dr. McDougall's website, http://www.drmcdougall.com

About me:

I have an office job and adopted this healthier lifestyle about 2 years ago, after becoming intrigued in the subject and reading many books about health and nutrition. As I have family members and friends who suffer from and have died from heart disease, I'd like to do what I can to help people understand what they can do to reverse heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and other diet-related health conditions.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas, please feel free to email me.

Thanks,
Carolyn

(No point linking to craigslist because once the posting expires, that's it.)

I got one response from a nice guy who offered some suggestions, such as checking out the Recreation Department.

I checked a little online, but I think the rent might choke the program. However, after work today I drove to the SF County Building in Golden Gate Park and found info about renting one of their rooms. Also not very feasible, although they did have a big kitchen. And last I went to the Western Addition library which is on Geary, which I've never been to. I just happened to see it driving by occasionally and thought it might be a school or library and perhaps something like that could work. I went in tonight and the guy at the counter had good news. They have a room! I could probably use it for what I'm doing! It's free! It comes with a DVD and TV player! I don't know about the rest of its amenities, but so far, so good. He gave me the name and number of the head librarian, who'll be in tomorrow until 6pm, so I'll drop by after work tomorrow and see what else I can find out. I'm glad things seem to be going in the right direction. I'm hoping that whatever food prep I'll need to do for the program I can do with portable appliances, such as my rice cooker, stir-fry wok (once it's repaired), or a hot plate or microwave.

Prior to starting this program though, I will be paying off my car. Enough's enough. Once the car is paid off, I'll invest in the DVDs and find out more about the curriculum and what Dr. McDougall will charge for his Skype and email assistance. I hope this all works out well and helps people get healthier.

World Food Crisis

2008-05-07T17:33:00.001-07:00

I've been browsing around and learning about the global food crisis.

The little bit about the amount of water required to grow a cow verse grow a crop of wheat caught my vegan eye.

Our food choices make a huge difference to the poorest of the poor in the world.

From Frontline:

2008-04-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

Sick Around the World - full online movie, free

I just started it and put it on pause because I want to get the word out on this worthwhile documentary. The intro itself says it all:

PBS Interviewer: "In Switzerland, how many people go bankrupt from medical bills?"
Swiss President: "Nobody. Doesn't happen. It would be a huge scandal if it happens."

In America, where is that mentality?

I'm grateful for PBS for putting the whole show on their website so anyone can watch it, FREE. I'm grateful for the talented and honorable people at Frontline and PBS for producing such an informative and excellently done show. And I'm grateful for Michael Moore and his movie Sicko which I am sure led the way in bringing this matter to people's attention.

His Epitaph

2008-04-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

He wasn't rich; he wasn't great
His place was lowly and obscure
His clothing was not up-to-date
His house was tumble-down and poor

No special honor did he claim
He never walked with lords and kings
No glory has illumed his name
But he was kind to helpless things

He won no victories to boast
He made no conquests, waged no strife
He never led a conquering host;
He lived an unpretentious life

But when is writ the Judgment Scroll
And time its final verdict brings
This will be said of him:
His soul was rich in love for helpless things

From the Prelude in Poetry’s Plea for Animals: An Anthology of Justice and Mercy for our Kindred in Fur and Feathers by Francis E. Clarke.

I heard it on one of Colleen Patrick Goudreau's podcasts and thought I'd share.

Green tips

2008-04-02T08:51:00.001-07:00

Here's a link to a short article with some great tips about how to make a significant impact in helping the environment in simple, easy ways.

Going Green Made Easy

There are some good tips there, such as bringing your own bags when you shop, driving the speed limit, shopping locally, and washing your clothes on the cold cycle and line drying.

Happy Year of the Spud!

2008-03-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

It's the International Year of the Potato and no one knows about it.

It's not a gimmick or a joke. It's serious business to help alleviate world hunger.

Here's background from the website:

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) originated some 8 000 years ago in the Andes of South America. It was appropriate, therefore, that the initial impetus for declaring 2008 as the International Year of the Potato came from the Government of Peru.

At the biennial Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in November 2005, the Permanent Representative of Peru proposed - and the Conference adopted - a resolution that sought to focus world attention on the importance of the potato in providing food security and alleviating poverty. The resolution was transmitted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with the aim of having the UN General Assembly declare the year 2008 as the International Year of the Potato.

It started in 2005 when a representative from Peru proposed the potato n fact, there's no humor in it at all really. In 2008 the United Nations launched the IPY, as its called, as an effort to help reduce world hunger by working with world leaders to promote potatoes as a viable choice.

I'll update this post with some more nutrition information about potatoes once I find it. I might have read it in one of Dr. McDougall's books, but hopefully their's a nice newsletter of his I can add the link to.

2008-03-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

Came across this website from a forum I read. I thought this would be a fun way to get some activity in. I'm curious how much walking I do regularly. My goal is 10,000 steps a day. I wonder how many steps I get in general, without trying to walk more.

On this blog I'll track actual steps with my widget. On the other, mileage.

I'm sleepy. Didn't really have a healthy weekend food-wise. But I got to see friends and family so that was good. I feel like I need another Friday right now just to rest up. My parents stay up so late! It was at least 2 am by the time I was finally able to get in bed.

Take to the Streets

2008-03-08T07:40:00.000-08:00

Health March

Some sad, yet accurate information about the state of our healthcare system. I hope this march makes a difference.

My excerpt from the article:

In the past 20 years the U.S. has gone from first in the world for life expectancy to 19th in the world for women, and 29th for men (behind Slovenia).

The U.S. has the most expensive health care in the world, which the majority of its citizens cannot afford. We are the only country in the developed world, other than South Africa, which doesn't provide health care for all of its citizens.

Your Long Awaited Update

2008-03-04T23:23:00.001-08:00

Yeah, the slow cooked food was okay but there was this SMELL coming from the crockpot. I'm not kidding. The next day my roommate complained about a foul odor in the hallway and the bathroom (hm... both next to my room.) That was rather embarrassing, especially because I liked the food. I thought it was the broccoli. (I like broccoli a lot. By the way, that's very good because I've found it's really nutritious. It has lots of calcium, vitamin C, and other jazz and it's easy for your body to assimilate the vitamins and minerals too.)

But the odor -- it was not the broccoli.

I know this because the broccoli did not smell. Well, bad. It smelled good and tasted yummy.

My roommate thought it was cabbage, but there was no cabbage.

No, it was the crockpot. I noticed an odor right off the bat, when I first turned it on and was adding food. I guess the food covered it up later on. But now, days later, having already cleaned the crockpot and left it in my room, I am still smelling this faint cabbage-like odor in my room.

It just so happens that on one of the forums I read the issue of crockpot smells came up, and the suggestion is to cook water with baking soda in it. So I'm trying that tonight, and hopefully that will end the reek. Er, slight odor.

Too bad I already threw away the receipt and recycled the box it came in. Did not think ahead.

* * *

Other than that, vegan life is cheery. I'm really liking this salad dressing I made up -- red wine vinegar and dijon mustard. It's kinda strong, sort of biting, so I have it with an apple and beets in the salad.

I'm going to try to eat more yams, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. They're cheap and healthy. Frankly I need to watch my money.

I've also begun running. I think I overdid it on Sunday. I'm still sore 2 days later. I went through Golden Gate Park and there was a large crowd doing Lindy dancing by the De Young. It's free and I never do this! I'm sure if I went and hung around I could get some guy to start dancing with me. They teach you there too, I think. I already know a lot of ballroom-type dances. Maybe I'm rusty but if the guy knows what he's doing then I'm fine. I love GG Park.

I forgot to mention the quinoa is great! Tasty and good on salads too.

slow cook

2008-03-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

I'm attempting my first slow-cook recipe. It started about 11 am so that would mean 6-8 pm for dinner.

Ingredients:

1 broccoli crown, cut
1 carrot, sliced
1 potato, chopped
1/2 large white onion, chopped
1 garlic glove, sliced
cup or so of lacinato kale, torn
can of corn, rinsed
can of kidney beans, rinsed
small beet, sliced
3 cups water
2 heaping teaspoons veggie powder for broth

Once it's done cooking I'm going to add mellow miso for an additional salt taste. Also has beneficial bacteria in it, but you can't add it food that's boiling hot or the good bacteria will be killed.

I want to buy some quinoa today and cook it in my rice cooker to have with this for dinner.

I wonder how it will all taste. So far the room smells ok. Better get out and about.

recipe notes

2008-02-27T21:57:00.000-08:00

just wanted to jot down some recipe notes so I won't forget later on

salad -
salad mix, beets, granny smith apple, sun flower seeds, raspberry viniagrette

3 bean salad -
kidney beans, chickpeas, green (lima?) beans (need to get - frozen), corn, beets, onion, check seasonings in cancer project book

millet, broccoli, and veggie stew, add miso after done cooking, look up recipe

make hummus for quesadillas

steamed kale with sweeteners and rest of tempeh

I have food now just haven't prepared it yet. Except the salad mix I still need to get. I need to get better at planning out my week of meals.

Learned a lot at the last cancer prevention/nutrition/cooking class. I want to attempt quinoa with my rice cooker but I'm going to have to wait until I get through with the rest of stuff I've got around.

I guess tomorrow night I'll do some cooking. I'm too tired tonight.

I'm still waiting for my fruit to ripen. I have 4 mangos in my room and they just won't ripen! Guess it's not their season. The bananas are ready to go though.

I wonder if there are any advanced healthy vegan cooking classes out there. This one concentrated on nutrition, which I like hearing, but a lot of it I already know. I want to learn more tasty healthy vegan recipes so I have a repertoire. It's slowly building.

Good night.

greens and tempeh

2008-02-26T13:40:00.000-08:00

I attempted my first tempeh cooking. I've been vegan for about a year and a half (or tried to be, for the most part) and I never touched trying to cook tempeh or tofu. That Cancer Project cooking class is great!

The teacher made sure to emphasize the 4 types of soy that are ok -- the point is that they're all fermented, which means our body can digest it (or something.) The good soys are: tempeh, miso, soy sauce, and natto. She does not recommend natto. It may be what my friend from Taiwan calls "stinky" tofu. The others she said are good although soy sauce can have a lot of sodium so choose the low sodium kind and use it sparingly. She says she'd give tofu a "C-" and cautions not to overdue it on soy products, and stay away from fake soy meats (they are worse for you then some meats because of the concentration of soy protein -- bad for your kidneys which has to deal with it.)

Anyway, the secret to tempeh, I have learned, both from her and from the Food For Life podcasts, is you have to steam it for 10-15 minutes prior to use. I forget why, but just do it. After that you can cook it however you'd like.

So I made the same tempeh and kale meal we had at the cooking class and it was good! Easy to make too. I used organic veggie added tempeh, steamed it, and then just tossed it around in my wok with the kale, which I bought ready-to-go from Whole Foods. I want to try it preparing the kale myself though, because I know it'd be healthier to cut out the added oils in the kale. It was pretty good though.

I'm still not eating enough greens though. I'm not even making once a day. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau of Compassionate Cooks has a recipe for kale in one of her podcasts and I want to try that. I just need to prepare the kale (wash, separate) and have it ready to go because I'm rather lazy around dinner time. Also, I want to try dinosaur kale, which is not the super curly kind I usually find everywhere. I also want to learn some good recipes for swiss chard because I know I used to love it in my mom's torta. It might be good with nutritional yeast sprinkled on.

By the way, I'm really enjoying these vegan "quesadillas" lately. You use roasted red pepper hummus, salsa, a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, and these yummy sprouted grain tortillas. I think I like them more than regular quesadillas, which were always a little too chewy and greasy for me.

Speaking of food, I am getting hungry. I didn't make it out of the office on my lunch before my boss had to move his car so now I'm waiting for everyone to get back so I can get some food. Not sure what to get though...

They're back. Gotta go browse 'round Safeway now.

here let me wax on about my passion

2008-02-19T20:18:00.000-08:00

My latest vegan news is I got a vegetable identifier book. I sorely need one. I'm going to keep it as a reference or maybe try to find the one other person in the city who might possibly be interested in learning about vegetables, and then we can learn one veggie a week and incorporate it into our diet.

I can't even imagine myself as a kid thinking I'd ever want to do that. And now it excites me! Life can be so bizarre.

Nutrition fascinates me and the vegan lifestyle and philosophy resonates with me. I think because the vegan, animal-loving side of it has always been a part of my heart, even in my pre-veg days. As far as the nutrition side, I remember being just blown away when I began learning what a great impact a low-fat vegan diet has for the body. Or really, the detrimental effects of a poor diet.

With the free Cancer Project class and their book, I'm learning more and more about the benefits of healthy foods, and it's really amazing, I'm not kidding, nothing short of amazing all the good stuff good foods do for you. There's still so much more I want to learn. Whereas before I was learning about diseases and conditions caused by poor diets (or certainly not helped) now I'm learning more and more about the impact of certain plant foods, berries, antioxidants, hormones, toxins, etc. on the body. I really love this stuff.

Another thing I've come across is about how healthy greens are for you. I think a lot of people (like moi) already know this, but in reality I know I rarely incorporate the dark leafies into my diet. It's more like I get a lot of broccoli, which I love, some cabbage and green beans, but not really a lot of salads, kale, collard greens, spinach, or chard for example. Luckily I've come across some yummy sounding recipes for greens lately, so I'm going to attempt them. I think the kale, spinach, and chard I'll probably like. I'm also thinking of making a smoothie that's mostly blueberry-banana, let's say, and adding a leaf of kale for instance. I know green smoothies are supposed to be really healthy, but I think that will take a lot of experimentation so it's one step at a time.

I don't think I have any readers, but anyone out there, hope you have a happy, yummy, and healthy day.

yummies

2008-02-17T21:32:00.000-08:00

frozen blueberries
bunch or two of hopefully ripe bananas
cauliflower, 1 head
broccoli, 2 big bunches (kind with stalks cut off)
1-2 bunches kale
3 medium potatoes
2 medium yams
small oranges or tangerines or small oj
couple apples
small apple juice
lemon juice
agave nectar
apple cider vinegar
can chopped tomatoes or 1 medium tomato

out of this, with what I already have, I'll make:

broccoli = 1, cauliflower = 2, steamed stirfry = 3, steamed kale (possibly sweetened w/nectar, vinegar, & lemon juice) = 4

breakfasts
steel cut oatmeal & banana
banana, blueberry, almond milk, oj, smoothie if there's enough time

lunches
chickpea* & curry w/brown rice + 1, 2, 3, 4
lentil* & rice + 1, 2, 3, 4
potato & cauliflower curry + rice + 3, 4
yam & rice + 3, 2 (low sodium, msg-free soy sauce)

dinners & deserts
leftovers
baked potato & salsa
pasta & marinara sauce
blueberry smoothie
mango

I'm trying to get organized and prepare healthy meals and still use what I have on hand. I'm going to portion out the lunches in individual containers and keep the steel cut oatmeal, precooked in the fridge, ready to go in the mornings. Hopefully for the rest of it at dinner time I can have it pretty much ready to go also. I want to stop relying so much on convenience foods and restaurants. They're higher fat and less fiber.

*this is a precooked package I bought at Trader Joe's. They're Indian with flavorings, either curry or some other traditional Indian. While vegan, they have more fat (as percentage of calories) than I'd like (from added oils) so I'm going to make this the last week of using them. I'll try to plan my weekly meals with healthier recipes so I can avoid the problem in the future. I also have some coconut milk which is high fat so I'll try to use that up, but probably not 'til next week.

in the mean time

2008-02-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

I have found out what the difference is between soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.

I'm recapping it (again) because I want to remember it.

Both soluble and insoluble fiber are undigested. They are therefore not absorbed into the bloodstream. Instead of being used for energy, fiber is excreted from our bodies. Soluble fiber forms a gel when mixed with liquid, while insoluble fiber does not. Insoluble fiber passes through our intestines largely intact.

Soluble fiber picks up cholesterol, hormones, and other toxins in the intestines (excreted from the liver's bile duct) and carries it out of the body. This helps keep your body clean and healthy, and lowers cholesterol. If you don't have enough fiber in your diet, the cholesterol, hormones, and toxins are reabsorbed into the bloodstream, increasing your risk for cancers. This is because the female hormones, estrogen, cause all cells - healthy or cancerous - to grow. I won't get into the hormones in dairy. That's a whole 'nother story and deserves it's own post.

Insoluble fiber makes waste soft and bulky so it can move through the intestines easier. This makes insoluble fiber the top choice to get rid of constipation and keep yourself regular. Insoluble fiber also prevents cancer by moving toxic waste through the colon in less time, and keeping the pH in the intestines at an optimal level to prevent microbes from producing carcinogens.

Examples
Soluble fibers: oats, lentils, bean, peas, vegetables, fruits
Insoluble fibers: green beans, dark green leafy vegetables, fruit skins, yam skins, potato skins, other root veggie skins, whole wheat, brown rice

Many whole plant foods have both kinds of fiber.

More about fiber lowering cancer risk.

The Cancer Project book is so interesting! I love it.

vegan outing

2008-02-15T22:12:00.000-08:00

I went to Greens Restaurant tonight with a friend.

Good but pricey. I'm grateful I got to try it.

The experience has got me thinking.

It's hit home to me how hard it is to find anywhere that's full out vegan.

Practically impossible.

Odd world.

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's podcasts have influenced me lately. My own beliefs voiced and shared by others.

I want to find a poem I heard on one of her podcasts and copy it down here. It's by Leigh Hunt, who wrote one of my favorite poems that I memorized:

Jenny Kiss'd Me

Jenny kiss'd me when we met
Jumping from the chair she sat it
Time, you thief, who love to get
Sweets into your list, put that in!
Say I'm weary, say I'm sad
Say that health and wealth have miss'd me
Say I'm growing old, but add
Jenny kiss'd me.

This poem would bring tears to my mom's eyes. You can see where I got my sensitive side, and I thank her for it.

More on health

2008-02-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to the Favoring Fiber class at Whole Foods, put on by The Cancer Project. It's a free cooking and nutrition class from their series of 7 or 8 classes. This week's topic was all about fiber.

Great class. The teacher was a wealth of info and covered a lot of things I didn't know before. I will now eat humble pie, as I thought I knew a lot. I already know the gist about healthy eating, but this is really nailing it home. I think because I'm hearing from someone who really knows her foods. Because the class is slanted for cancer prevention, other "superfoods" were talked about, like seaweeds, goji berries, and certain mushrooms.

Stupid me, I didn't bring a notebook, although I ended up buying the $20 Cancer Project book, which is like a textbook/handbook really, so I can learn more. I wrote some notes in there. (You don't have to buy the book, but it's not free. If you don't want it you just return it at the end of class.)

My Recap of the Night:

- Fiber only comes from plant foods
- NO fiber in any animal products
- We need 40 grams of fiber each day
- The role of fiber in the body is to: regulate bowel movements, eliminate waste hormones from the body, and reduce cholesterol.
- There are 4 good soy products, all of them fermented. The rest = "garbage" as far as what it does to your body. I wrote the 4 good ones down for review. I'm not a huge soy fan anyways, because of the high fat contect and hormone trippiness, but I'm no expert and she made it easy to understand.

Also there are two kinds of fiber, insoluble and soluble, and our body needs both. She didn't elaborate on what the differences were but said plants foods have both. I want to find out the differences on my own.

Another thing I realized from the class is I need to learn more vegan meal recipes. Healthy vegan meal recipes, that is. The meals she had there for us were very yummy and nutritious. Luckily I now have the recipes in my book.

Next week's class is about alternatives to milk. I plan on going.

Good resource.

free vegan podcasts

2008-02-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

Vegetarian Food for Thought

I have been enjoying these podcasts by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau for a few days now and thought I would share.

They are much more positive to take in than the movie I posted. Some of them are very touching and sweet, and some are difficult to hear but important.

Her website, Compasionate Cooks, is a wealth of vegan information also.

I also found her other website, Joyful Vegan, to be interesting. You can read stories of people's transformations to a vegan lifestyle.

So. There are other people like me in the world.

:)

Enjoy.

closed eyes no more

2008-02-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

The systematic torture of sentient beings, whatever the pretext and in whatever form, cannot achieve anything more than it already has: to show us what is the lowest point of debasement man can reach.

If that is what we want to know.

Earthlings

On behalf of the countless animals with silenced voice, subjected to pain, torture, suffering, and death, so that we may eat their flesh or wear their skins, I present this free movie to any who are brave enough to face a truth all too often hidden, and sadly seldom fought against.

Happy World Vegetarian Day

2007-10-01T10:21:00.001-07:00

I went to the World Vegetarian Festival this past weekend in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. I came away inspired -- not only from the intelligence and integrity of doctors who have devoted their lives to healing people through a healthy diet, not only from the animal activists who bring uncomfortable facts into the light of people's consciousness, but especially from Howard Lyman's talk about individual action and sustainable agriculture. Lyman, a 4th generation cattle rancher-turned-vegan, emphasized that we cannot change other people but we can change ourselves and live up to what we believe is right.

I've been "vegan" since my birthday last year. I put vegan in quotes because I've been a mostly vegan with occasional dairy in the form of junk food. But really. I'm mad at myself about that. I'd like to do better.

I'm going to use this blog to brainstorm ideas and track my progress. Hopefully I will inspire others also.