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I've been feeling so ill this week. Listless, splitting sinus headaches, holding my body in a bad way, and not having an ounce of energy to give to anyone. I can't hug - or be hugged. Now that's bad! It's a virus, I know, and hopefully this weekend it will come to an end... I just need some rest. But feeling this way it has made me think about my diet, and what I am giving my body to help restore my bounce. And beyond.
For Lent I have given up bread. I am not a deeply religious person and have never given anything up for Lent before, but this year I felt like I needed to change the way I eat. For decades I have reached for the loaf for a comforting marmite on toast after the school run, or pick at the crust whilst cooking, or grab a quick sandwich in between working and kids. No more - it had to stop.
I think I was addicted to bread. It made me bloat, put on weight and feel sluggish, but I just couldn't stop.
Until now - STOP EATING IT, LOU!
Ahhh that's better. So it's been just over a week and although I feel poorly (could it be withdrawl symptoms?) my stomach has gone down and I am getting over that need for snacking.
I've been looking at some amazing blogs with recipes for Wholefood. This blog My New Roots is giving me a great source of inspiration. I am starting to change my old habits and turn over a new dietary leaf. Today I am making my own Granola, this recipe looks delicious and super easy. It is going to be long journey and one that I hope will become a way of life. I want to equip my children with a better understanding of food and change their tastes too. Goodbye Mr Waffle and Mr Fish Finger!!!
Have you come across a good whole food recipe blog, can you let me know?
Do you eat whole? Have you kicked bread or sugar in to touch?
Let me know... I need some help!
Also I will start to post some recipes here too.
Have a lovely weekend!
x
...its so easy peasey to just grab bread/toast/sandwich ~ i often feel bloated and read 'cutting out on bread like things helped'...replacing with fruits and yogurts in the mornings...I do sometimes have these 'good' intention weeks and then it slips back in a mad school run...but i must say 'no' to myself a little more often.
ReplyDeletewe had 3 weeks of a nasty flu virus and i ached all over- its horrid and zapped of all energy...hope you feel better soon ;0)
God but I love marmite on toast.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried quitting bread (I quit smoking though, so I feel you on the withdrawal and setting new habits part of it) but Gluten Free Girl has some great, bread-free recipes.
Good luck
Patricia
xx
I *know* it's bad, but bread is my favourite food.
ReplyDeleteMy name's Becky, and I'm a breadaholic.
:)
Hi there, I've always eaten very healthy but my sister who is on a juice fast at the moment has inspired me to go pretty much completely raw. I have smoothies like paw paw, spinach, avocado, blueberries and rice milk and fresh juices like apple, carrot, ginger, celery and cucumber. I highly recommend raw for every aspect of being healthy - great for your skin, energy levels, sleep etc :) Good luck with whatever works for you!! Oh, I have pumpernickel bread if any:)
ReplyDeleteI am not a particularly religious person either, but I love the art of intention that Lent brings to us. I gave up wine for Lent, but right now as I blob on my couch, I wonder if I should have given up bread. I love all food, but I also love being intentional with my eating. There is a time and place for processed foods, but sugar, I believe is not very good for us at all, though I still will have it in things etc, I have to be careful with it or I feel super yucky and my skin begins to look awful. I drink a lot of tea & that is where I add sugar most often. If I need to fast from sugar, I will do it in a 3 day stint. And then really try to not put any sugar at all in my tea after that. Which is hard, I am experimenting with Agave right now. I do know of a couple of yummy websites that have delicious and healthy recipes. Here is one:
ReplyDeletehttp://minimalistbaker.com/ I think they have great and easy to make recipes. xo
Ha ha, I'm reading this while eating a massive piece of bread and butter! Oh dear...
ReplyDeleteHeidi Swanson's book is good, come over and have a look sometime x
Will enjoy seeing your journey through this. I've wanted to do the same for such a long time. Hope you're feeling better soon xxx
ReplyDeleteI was ill over Christmas and I've been reaching for bread in much the same way as you, all during Jan and Feb. It really slows you down. I think I'll join you a no bread few weeks. xx
ReplyDeleteFranchesca 22.2.13
ReplyDeleteHad exactly the same thought after having a really bad cold 3 weeks ago. I really like the recipes on the blog below. Hope its of use.
http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/
I can relate to what you are saying. It's so easy to grab a snack when you're busy. It's amazing how quickly the bloating goes down when you cut out certain foods. I found upping my water intake helped lots too. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your recipes, hope you feel better soon. X
ReplyDeleteWell done, Lou, it takes willpower to do that! Glad to hear that a little marmalade cake is still allowed to sneak in, though! Enjoy your weekend. xx
ReplyDeleteHi, hope you're feeling a bit better, sounds like a nasty virus. Fascinated to hear about your bread-thing. I absolutely love bread too, it is just too easy to overeat it. I have often thought about giving it up too, think i'm definitely addicted or maybe just lazy. Good luck with the abstinence and I am looking forward to hearing how it goes. Leon does a great granola, it is in the first recipe book. Let me know if you'd like to know how to make it and I'll get the recipe over to you. It's brilliant.
ReplyDeleteLou i am now pretty much a non-bread person...my new thing is that dark german sliced rye bread and it is my very favourite thing. still "bread" but not as we know it. i am happy that it has about 3 ingredients on the label. it is amazing toasted really well and topped with peanut butter or with poached eggs and spinach. crunchy and satisfying.
ReplyDeleteI've become very concious of what i'm eating over the past month. and how much better i feel when i don't reach for bread and sugar. I won't lie I have had lapses but they only shout to me how rough i feel the next day when i've indulged.
Oatmeal made with water is a real winner for my breakfast too these days.
going to check out your links now. good luck with the changes you are making :)
j'adore...! (LLL)
ReplyDeleteI feel like I came across your blog and this post specifically at just the right time. I have been on a merry go round of sickness for the past month. Time to start taking better care of myself. and OH, can I just say...the granola photo looks amazing...fresh figs on anything will do that.
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health!
http://hennablossom.com/