What to do, what to do

I got brave and tried the Alter Eco Quinoa the other day.  In fact, I have now had it twice.  It is pretty bland by itself, though it smells like corn, but with a slightly nutty flavor, so I added some much needed salt and veggies.  The end result was a dish resembling fried rice. 

I like the fact that by purchasing the stuff I am helping support small family farms in Bolivia...but, then again according to this article in the New York Times, it seems that by helping Bolivian farmers export the crop it made it too expensive for the locals, and thus the rate of malnutrition in these areas is on the rise.  What to do, what to do.  Seems it is a no win situation, as the increase in jobs has been a huge blessing in these communities allowing people to stay in Bolivia instead of head to another neighboring country to find work.

On an entirely different note...


  I started out yesterday with a healthy and beautiful breakfast, a bowl of fresh fruit.  I even made a bowl for my mom and sister.  Would have made it for the guys too, but they went camping for the weekend.

I think the combination of all these new grains, beans and fruits has done a number on my stomach.  I have been in a world of pain the last two days.  So much so that I decided  on drastic measures of drinking Herbal Smooth Move Tea, just to see if it would help.  I have had 2 cups in the last 48 hours, it is not helping.  (I realize not everyone in the world wants to know that, but this is also serving as my medical journal...and if you are going through this process with me you should know what you are getting into)

shopping day

After feeling sorry for myself yesterday, but having determined to make the best out of what I have to work with I set out on a shopping expedition.  As mentioned I had already bought fruits and veggies, so that left all the new stuff; spelt, quinoa,(Turns out the spelt and quinoa are from Bolivia, which is funny since so is my man.), gluten free flour, polenta and brown rice (the last two not totally new).   Then there was the meat, I found some Italian sausage made from chicken and some turkey links as well as turkey franks and some ground turkey. I also got Almond Milk and Rice Milk, plain organic yogurt, some beans, and I even found some gluten free brown rice lime flavored chips which I am munching on as I type. Not bad. (crap, just read they contain milk...)

So seeing as I now have some stuff to work with I will have to be spending some time searching for new and tasty recipes that fit the bill.  Should you have a favorite feel free to post away.  I want to be brave and try some fish dishes as well, so if you have a must try don't hold back. 

Also I should say that since this is a record of sorts I went on a 3 mileish walk this morning with a good friend, who was helping me think up things to do with these random foods.  Thank God for good friends, even when there is a lack of good food ;)

makin' somethin' from nothin'

Before I get a million comments about people surviving happily on less than what I have, let me just say..."I KNOW"  I get that.  I have gone to third world countries and I am friends with people who do much with little, and I admire them for it.  This is just a new thing for me, so understand where I am coming from and know that I know I am blessed.

That said.  Tonight after coming home from the Chiropractor list in hand I was overwhelmed and underwhelmed all at once.  Which sad to say left me in tears.  I was overwhelmed with the number of things I have lost or given up in the last 2 months and underwhelmed with my options for dinner, and every other meal coming in the next 6 weeks.

You see I recently resigned my job, left my boyfriend in Italy (not that we are not together we are just not together), gave up my apartment there and most of my stuff, and am living at my parents home on the couch waiting for my sister to get married, so that I can go back to Italy, be with my boyfriend and all my other friends there, pick up life, and find a new place to live.  On top of all that today I was left in pain and with the lame, list of foods I was limited to.  And thus I was a puddle of despair.

Grilled Chicken and Fruit Salad

But one cannot live like that, so I picked myself up and decided that I would try to make somethin' out of the nothin'.  So tonight's dinner was a mixed green salad topped with fresh nectarines, strawberries, raspberries, and grilled chicken, sprinkled with sunflower seeds and then finished off with a dressing made of pineapple, papaya juice, olive oil and salt.

I have to say it was not bad.  And thus gave me a small bit of hope for the remainder of my 6 weeks of elimination.