newkim's Journal, 09 August 2014

Congrats on eating cleaner. I started 2 months ago and have lost 20 lbs. :) Feel amazing, and my whole family has switched as well. I have cheat meals, things to look forward to, but otherwise about 95% clean eating on a daily basis. Good luck with everything! 

I use quinoa a LOT, particularly good when cooked in organic vegetable broth. 

watch out for the carbs! a tiny bit of quinoa has a ton of carbs!!!! 

I've only been concentrating on clean eating for a short time, and I already notice the difference of how I feel. I had a half a cup cooked quinoa with cinnamon, tad of real maple syrup(which I could have done without) and a small banana for breakfast. As far as the carbs go, the banana I ate had more. It is very filling, so 1/2 cup is all I really "needed"! I "wanted" more, but I was truly full, so didn't need it. I'm trying to not concentrate on the carbs if they are coming from nutritious food as long as I don't over indulge. I love my fruits and veggies, but I love pasta, breads and rice too, so I need to find something to replace them that is more nutritious and less calories, and maybe I'll keep the weight off this time. I really want to totally change the way I eat forever, not just until I hit my goal. When I have been really strict on the carbs, cutting out fruits and dense veggies, I feel deprived and it doesn't last. It may take a little longer to lose the weight, but if I keep it off, I will be one happy lady!! I bought organic vegetable broth last night, so I'll have to try that! 

For whole grains, I eat steel cut oats, couscous, and brown rice medley (all from Trader Joe's, all 100% whole grains - nothing else added). I also have whole grain pasta occasionally, but a small serving. The one I eat happens to be high in protein too :) I feel more satisfied when I have whole grains in my diet, rather than eating really low-carb, and they don't stimulate my appetite, which is the main deciding factor. The quality of the carbs matters more than the number. Great job, Kim! :) 

Thanks ChristyLA!  

You are doing great! Nice to try new recipes that are healthier for you and your family. The best way to go, as you said, is a food plan that you will like. Better to stay on a healthy way of living that go for short term "diets". Good Luck! 

Hope you had a good weekend! I still have not tried Quinoa, but I have made couscous several times last year. I was told by a dietitian to limit rice and couscous to 1/3 cup, but if I did not eat bread at the same meal then I could have 2/3 cup.  

Deb, I found that I love the Quinoa. I don't think I could eat it plain, but it's good with fruit or veggies mixed with it. I am limiting myself to 1/2 cup when I have it. I've been eating no breads or pastas, so I think it'll help on those days when I have a craving. We usually eat a lot of stir fry; fresh veggies over white rice, so I'm going to replace the white rice with the quinoa. I think I'll like it. I've only had the couscous once, and it was in one of those seasoned box mixes that are full of salt. I love the texture. It is very similar to quinoa.  

I've been on a low calorie soup kick. It fills me up so much that I don't really want anything else. Normally I would eat bread with soup (yum) but I've been eating it will a few saltines instead. Just as satisfying as bread, but much fewer calories.  

One of these days I will buy Quinoa. newkim, thanks for the "keenwah" pronunciation. :)