I just received the results from my yearly physical exam. They were atrocious, to say the least. I had gained 12 pounds in one year, my cholesterol was way up and if that weren’t enough, my liver enzymes were sky rocketing as well. I immediately thought to myself, “What kind of example am I sending the public about me and my business when I cannot even take care of my own health?”
I immediately began to incorporate many more vegetables (both raw and cooked) into my daily diet cutting way back on butter, cheese, grass-fed meats and chocolate. In addition to the diet makeover, I have made every effort to get to the gym at least 3-4 times a week.
After having made these two changes, I have already been experiencing the positive results. Instead of feeling fatigued and drained, I am energetic and ambitious. I no longer feel incessantly hungry all day. I even invented some killer new recipes on the spot, one, of which, I will share with you.
I never thought this would happen to me but it did and thankfully, I caught it in the knick of time before irreversible damage set in.
I was putting so much effort into my business (marketing, scheduling clients, etc.) that I was ignoring myself and I didn’t even realize it! It just sort of happened due primarily to a lack of poor time management.
I am not perfect. I have faults just like everyone else. The important part is to admit it and move on by doing something about it. I could have just said to myself, “Oh well, I am getting older, it is too late to change old habits, yada, yada, yada.” But I made the conscious choice to make the necessary changes and in just three days, I am noticing a huge difference!
I hope this piece of writing is inspiring to those of you who feel you just can’t do it. To all of you, I say, yes, you can!!!
Sweet Potato Glass Noodle Stir Fry
Serves 5-6
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon minced jalapeño (seeds discarded)
1 large clove garlic minced
1 teaspoon minced ginger root
1/2 medium onion sliced thinly
1/2 red bell pepper sliced thinly into strips
1 cup of chopped broccoli
2 stalks celery sliced on a diagonal
1/3 cup chickpeas
5 ounces sweet potato glass noodles
3 tablespoons Nama Shoyu or Coconut Aminos
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons minced parsley
2 scallions cut on a diagonal for garnish
Procedure:
In a large covered pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt. When water is boiling, add the noodles. Stir frequently to eliminate clumping. When cooked al dente, drain, rinse in cool water and set aside.
In a medium pot, add 4 cups of filtered water. Cover and bring to a boil. Prepare an ice bath with ice cubes and a little cold water to cover. Set aside. When the water is boiling, add the chopped broccoli. After about a minute or two, drain the water and plunge the broccoli into the ice bath to stop the cooking. Strain and set aside.
In a large sauté pan, add oil and the garlic, ginger root and jalapeño. When golden, add the remainder of ingredients one at a time in the order given. Stir. Do not overcook. Add the drained noodles and liquids. Garnish with scallions and parsley.
Note: For the Low FODMAPS Diet, leave out the garlic, onion and scallions. Swap out the broccoli for bok choy and the shiitake mushrooms for zucchini. Swap out the chickpeas for your choice of grass fed meat. Use Coconut Aminos in place of tamari.
Note: For the Low Histamine Diet, swap out the chickpeas for your choice of grass fed meat. Use Coconut Aminos in place of tamari. Leave out the rice vinegar.
Ilia Regini is a certified healing through food specialist/health supportive chef/culinary instructor/writer/blogger and speaker. Healthy Nourished Body offers chef service, cooking lessons, healthy kitchen makeovers and customized menu planning for healing through food dietary protocols. www.healthynourishedbody.com www.facebook.com/wellnourishedbody63 e:[email protected]
