Meal Planning Part 2: Execution

One of the things I needed to revamp was my meal rotation.  Below is an example of how things were.  I used this as a spring board to help me with a variety of dishes, especially for dinner.

I am still using the drinks along the right side with water as the only option in between meals.  If you'll notice, there are quite a bit of carbohydrates that need to be eliminated or substituted on this list.  Day one is Pancakes, Tuna Salad Sandwiches and Beef.  My research needs to focus toward substitutions for these things so that I can decrease white flour, sugar and grains.  For me, I'll have a substituted pancake recipe or just some yogurt with blueberries and sunflower nuts.  For the Tuna Salad Sandwiches, I'll use Romaine leaves as a type of wrap instead of the bread, or just put the tuna salad on top of a salad.  For dinner, whatever it is that we have, I now incorporate salad with dinner of some sort, whether spinach or multiple greens plus some veggies.  I also have another vegetable.  This is for myself and my husband.  I usually have some sort of carbohydrate available for the children as well as the beef dish.  I don't serve extra bread any longer.

So there you have it, the execution of my menu.  Now to write everything down on the calendars that I use and add the new ingredients to my shopping list that sits right beside me when I do these sorts of things.

Please feel free to use this information at your discretion.  Please consult your doctor, though because I'm not a professional, but just a person who is looking for ways to be healthier and take care of the temple God has given me.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20  

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, 

whom you have from God? You are not your own,  

(20)  for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Meal Planning Part 1: Recipe Research

I know many others who have elaborated on their own methods of meal planning and you're more than welcome to use their methods over mine.  I, on the other hand, have had this past year to research many recipes related to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome [PCOS], diabetes  and high blood pressure.  I have read so many articles pertaining to high blood pressure, but it doesn't relate to PCOS.  The articles I've read related to diabetes leaves one feeling like they can have white refined sugars, but need to lower every single fat, as if fat were the driving force for diabetes.  I have read PCOS articles that, while they hit the nail on the head, offer no suggestions for recipes to help.  Enter facebook.

I have been following a facebook page called "Just Eat Real Food" that has given me so many wonderful suggestions for meals.  I've even found other pages that have a "Paleo" [meaning caveman, but no dairy and no grains] diet in mind.  This is perfect (with a little tweaking by adding dairy) for those of us who have PCOS driven high blood pressure and diabetes.

What does removing grains do to a body that has PCOS?  Grains and other carbohydrates like white refined sugar, white potatoes, all breads and bread products are the driving force for weight gain, especially around the trunk of one's body.  While there are naturally occuring carbohydrates in all foods, grains, potatoes and sugar are the worst culprits.  This sounds a lot like a gluten allergy doesn't it?  Well, it isn't related to celliacs at all, although a celliac diet would help some, the carbohydrates from rice flour would not help reduce the size of the trunk of a PCOS body.  For example, I started this type of diet last year in April and by adding some simple crunches daily to my exercise regime I'd lost 5.5" around my waist by December 2012.  While it isn't all the inches I need to lose, it is a start.  Losing weight and inches from around the trunk for someone with PCOS is VERY difficult, so drastic measures [like removing all grains, white sugar and potatoes] is what is necessary.

So what do I eat?

Well, I'd like my body to use up the stores of fat.  When I eat grains and etc, whatever isn't used for energy is stored as fat.  So removing those grains and etc. means my meals are based on fruits, veggies and protiens.

Meatloaf has taken a new twist by adding all kinds of different ingredients.  These Paleo Mini Meatloaves are in my list "to try".  I might omit the nutmeg, but that's ok.  I'm planning to try these Pancakes in the next couple of weeks as well.  Here is a recipe for Grain-Free Sandwich Bread that I plan to try.  And, just so you know that this particular diet does have it's advantages, Blueberry Chocolate Chunk ice cream is one!  :0)  Spinach Shiitake Burgers look like something I'd like to try too!

Notice the sweeteners on the above recipes are maple syrup (the real stuff...not imitation), honey and fruit.

I've also noticed quite a few other types of recipes that I plan to research and find the ingredients to.  I've never used Arrow Root Powder, for example.  So this particular way of life is not only stretching my brain, but also my comfort level.  Fortunately I have a loving and wonderfully supportive husband who is willing to try new things.

For today~

Breakfast Choices for me:  Veggie Egg Rolls, Cottage Cheese with Sunflower Nuts and Dried Cranberries, Vegetable Medley, or Yogurt with Blueberries and Sunflower Nuts.  [I've occasionally had a salad for breakfast too.]

Lunch:  Pistachios, Avocado with Sea Salt and Pepper, Lunch meat wrapped mozzarella cheese stick, salad of any kind, or leftovers from the night before.

Dinner:  Protein, 2 different vegetable dishes and one carbohydrate that I usually do not eat unless it's Pizza night [I'm currently researching a Cauliflower Pizza Dough recipe.]  :0)

There you have it, a basic overview of some of the changes that are being made around our home.  Right now I am working toward revamping my recipe binder to include these new recipes.

My goal is greater health.  I've tried doing things by stretching the money with carbohydrate laden dishes to my own and my husband's detriment.  Now is the time to get serious about getting the most of the nutrients from our food, not the detriments of carbohydrates.