Food Goals for 2010
On Monday I talked about my fitness goals for 2010 as part of the 10 in 2010 group . Today I want to talk about my food and kitchen goals for 2010. Food and fitness go hand in hand on the road to health and wellness. In order to reach my fitness goals, I have to have the right kind of fuel to do the physical part of what I have challenged myself to do.
As I have stated I am not a doctor, nor any kind of professional – just giving my own opinions based on my own experiences. Experiences always vary – that is part of what makes us human! So don’t take my word for it, as mileage may vary.
Towards the last half of 2009, this blog made a bit of a transformation. It all started this summer when I decided to go to a personal trainer to get my body to look the way I wanted it to. I dramatically decreased the amount of fats that I was eating to try to stay within the guidelines of 20-30 grams per day, which is what is recommended for weight loss. Once I had taken my daily fish oil supplement, had a TEAspoon of olive oil and maybe a handful of nuts, or part of an avocado, I was through my allotment for the day. Most calorie counting systems, like the one I was using at SparkPeople.com do not differentiate between good and bad fats or things like grassfed (which is much leaner) vs. industrialized meat. So to stay within those guidelines after having my essentials meant no cheese, no eggs (w/ yolk), no yogurt, no kefir, and no meat besides boneless, skinless chicken or something out of a package that said “fat free” but filled with additives and preservatives. After about 3 weeks of trying to stay within these guidelines, I had a bit of a breakdown. Not the strength and feelings of “Fitness” and “Health” I was hoping to achieve. Recently I found this article that might shed some light on why: Is Weight Loss as Simple as Calories In – Calories Out?
So these last few months have been full of experimentation and trying to find my own way – both as it pertains to food to fuel my body and also in terms of the types of exercise I enjoy, and putting it all in sync with the way I think about food, and trying to eat more locally. Thankfully, on the food end, I have started learning more about “real food”, traditional foods, and food prep and have been slowly implementing those ideas into the way I buy and prepare foods. So far, so good. I feel much improved, despite a few set backs over the holidays (don’t we all have those?!).
When we were in New England during the fall, especially our 2 ½ weeks in VT, where local, minimally processed food like this is widely available, even at restaurants, I had a bit of a revelation. I lost a belt size, was getting up earlier in the morning and generally feeling much more energetic and motivated without really trying. Obviously I would like to see this continue. This year I received a Vitamix for my birthday from my lovely husband, so I would love to make quick and healthy meals using that – saving time. I also want to get more use out of my Yogotherm which I can make yogurt, kefir, creme fraiche and some soft cheeses in.
Here is what I plan to do in 2010:
* Make soups in my Vitamix 2-3 times a week for lunch – tomato, cauliflower, and squash come to mind – made from good quality canned supplies or what is seasonally fresh (local is an absolute bonus)
* On weekdays substitute an after dinner smoothie in the Vitamix for what has become an almost daily post dinner ice cream treat
* This spring when we move, expand the existing garden in VT, and try to produce as much food as possible from it. For year one, things like potatoes, tomatoes, squash, carrots, onions and greens – the things we eat the most of
* This summer begin to raise some chickens for eggs, and possibly, if that goes well, get one or two goats (and or sheep) for milk by the end of the year
* Continue eating regimen – but adding all local sources, once in Vermont (which is thankfully EASY in Vermont )– while still in FL, go to the farmers market on the weekends that we are here, and buy organic from the store
* Continue the adventure in cultured dairy making – add to the regimen buttermilk and make at least one cheese or creme fraiche per week
* Start making fermented veggies like sauerkraut and kimchee and have either a serving of that, homemade kefir or yogurt with every meal for probiotic goodness
* Continue to experiment with grains/ grasses. So far I can say yes to buckwheat, quinoa, and (Non-GMO)corn products. No to wheat and rice. Try millet, amaranth, sorghum and kamut – both grains and flours
* Experiment with sourdough bread
This may seem like a lot, but I am already doing a lot of it – so this is a way to help my stay on course and really make a commitment to it. Some of the new stuff is going to be challenging – like raising animals, but it is something I have been looking forward to for a long time. Other things will be easier to implement. I find like with any new changes, it is good to keep track of them and then every so often see if you are reaching your goals, and if you are, is it giving you the results you were hoping for? If you are reaching your goals and getting the results you want from reaching those goals, great! If there is something lacking or still not right, it might be time to re-evaluate and come up with a new set of goals, until you get it right. Best of luck to everyone with your goals this year!
(This is part of the Nourishing New Year’s Resolutions Carnival, 2010)!
Next post – Yummy Creamy Tomato Soup in the Vitamix!
Maria - January 8, 2010 at 11:15 am
Great goals! I believe in eating real food that fuels my body, gives it nourishment, and sometimes pleasure:) Good luck this year. I know it will be a great year for you:)
kat - January 8, 2010 at 11:17 am
A great list of goals!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is - January 8, 2010 at 11:21 am
Your goals are awesome girl! I am a big fan of soup, too. It fills me up and it a comfort food to me. It really helps keep me on track too. I can’t wait to follow along with you! 🙂
Diana@Spain in Iowa - January 8, 2010 at 11:39 am
So great getting to chat with you last night at the #realfood twitter party! Great goals!
The Local Cook - January 8, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I’m on a similar journey, I look forward to reading more of yours!
Happy Cook - January 8, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Good luck. I wish you am the best in achieving the list.
Peter G - January 8, 2010 at 12:25 pm
You go girl! I’m really enjoying reading your posts about your food and fitness goals! I can’t wait till you move to Vermont fully so we can read about your farm adventures.
beth - January 8, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I haven’t even thought about any goals – thats what a new baby does to you – turns your brain to mush!!
Sue - January 8, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Wow, I just caught up on tons of your posts! I’m getting off the computer right now and going to work out…(I wish, but maybe later).
You’re moving to Vermont? How wonderful. That will be a huge change from the climate to the clothes to the cooking, I bet. And that’s a great bunch of to-do’s for 2010. I’m going to love reading about your pursuit of each thing on your list. Happy New Year!
Bob - January 8, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Great goals! For a long time I was subbing one meal a day with a big salad and lost over 30 pounds. But since we moved I haven’t gotten back on that kick…
ValleyWriter - January 8, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Great goals! One my goals this year, thanks in large part to reading your blog, is to eliminate HFCS from my diet. I used to think it a little bit wasn’t so bad (and maybe it’s not), but the more I read – the more unhappy about it I am. Thanks for the motivation!
Michelle - January 8, 2010 at 4:06 pm
I think there is a lot of value in what you say about calories in/out versus weight loss. I agree that much more weight (pun intended!) should be placed on the QUALITY of the foods that we eat and I truly believe that would reduce or eliminate most of the health and diet related issues many people experience. You have some very clear and direct (and awesome) goals for 2010! Even better, they are very achieveable!
Estela @ Weekly Bite - January 8, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Wow, these are some great goals! I’m interested to see how you pursue the chicken raising, and goats. Very interesting!
Pam - January 8, 2010 at 4:39 pm
I really liked your post and I luv our VitaMix….I think this is our third one!
Enjoy!
P.S. You still inspire me!
bellini valli - January 8, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Those are some achievable goals Jenn!!!!
Jenn - January 8, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Those are some great goals especially when a lot of the things you’re cooking with will be coming from your own backyard or from local vendors. It’s always a good thing to have. Plus since you’re doing a lot of those, I’m sure you have a problem sticking with them.
kat - January 8, 2010 at 7:49 pm
great goals especially since you are using local or homegrown and already doing most of them!
Mary - January 8, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Very sensible goals that I think you’ll be able to achieve. Good luck!
pam - January 8, 2010 at 11:17 pm
I’m trying to do a lot of that, in small steps.
Natashya - January 9, 2010 at 12:15 am
I love these goals. Making your own food is truly the best way to go. What a great life to start together, such an adventure. I love what I have read about Vermont and hope to see it one day in our dream road trip out east through Canada to the ocean and back through the States. I’ll call ahead..! I can’t wait to read about the process and progress of the new homestead. Don’t forget a brick pizza/bread oven in the back yard!
Michelle - January 9, 2010 at 1:32 am
I honestly think exercise along with a healthy diet is key and you must do weights, machines and aerobics. Just 30-35 minutes of exercise, 3-4 days a week is plenty.
nina - January 9, 2010 at 3:24 am
Well done, Jenn. As usual you are an inspiration to us all!!!
DebinHawaii - January 9, 2010 at 4:51 am
Great and inspiring goals. I love my Vita-Mix and use it almost everyday–for a smoothie, soups or the dry pitcher to grind nuts and beans for flour and such. Such a great tool to have and great of you to maximize the benefits. 😉
Adam - January 9, 2010 at 9:35 am
Fantastic goals! It’s amazing how much your life can change when you don’t eat things that have labels on them. I wish all of my friends and patients had an outlook like yours.
So you wanna raise chickens too, huh? Sweet, maybe we’ll have to do some fun chicken posts. I just gotta learn how to build a coop 🙂
Divina - January 9, 2010 at 9:53 am
Well done on your plan. You’re one of those people who are inspiring me to continue what I do and start do things I didn’t do before because I failed at first such as fermenting vegetables. Thanks for sharing your plans.
Alta - January 9, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Wonderful goals! I share many of the same desires as you do – and I will be so excited to hear how these goals are coming throughout the year. I’m really excited to hear about your fermentation of vegetables for all that probiotic goodness. I need to consume more of that myself!
Patricia Eddy - January 9, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Great goals! I’m trying to figure out how best to eat myself this year (while still being local of course). I think this weekend I’m going to experiment with a green smoothie recipe (or two).
Maggie - January 9, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Happy New Year!
I’m looking forward to reading about your blender soups– because I really want an excuse to buy a Vitamix 🙂 and your adventures moving and trying out animal husbandry. So far our plan is to get a pair of ducks and a pair of chicks this spring.
Arlene - January 9, 2010 at 5:45 pm
I have benefitted from many of the food/nutrition ideas you have given over time. I see that I will have a lot more of them to consider now. Thanks for all your tips. You may not be a medical person but all your research and work in the health field when you were in MA has paid off and is spot on. You are always ahead of your time. I can’t tell you how many pieces of nutrional information you have given me that have months later become the new big thing in the news. Keep up your good work.
Laurie - January 10, 2010 at 2:00 am
You are going to love chickens! I’m so happy for you that you are moving to Vermont. I love your blog and you have inspired me so much, but Florida just never seemed right for your personality or tastes – not that I know Florida.
Vermont is my second home and I know you will fit in there like a blend of tomatoes and olive oil – a fabulous combination with each ingredient supporting the other nutritionally and practically.
Jan - January 10, 2010 at 5:15 am
I want chickens! We just don’t have the room sadly 🙁
I love all your ideas Jenn and look forward to seeing all your delish soups and recipes.
Happy 2010 to you and your family x
Joanne - January 10, 2010 at 9:56 am
These are definitely some awesome food goals! I hope to experiment with sourdough in the new year as well. And I’m dying for a VitaMix. Sigh.
Raising your own chickens sounds like fun! I bet the eggs will be amazing. Too bad it’s not feasible in an NYC apartment.
Congrats on losing a pants size!
Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten Free - January 11, 2010 at 5:06 pm
I can relate to all of your goals – especially the making your own dairy and nightly ice cream. I actually quit the nightly ice cream quite a while ago and have been eating homemade applesauce or organic yogurt with some of my favorite toppings. I actually dropped in to find out what kind of yogurt maker you use because I haven’t started doing that yet and want to.
I am grateful you posted about the CRAZY diet the trainer had you on. I don’t think all trainers are that extreme – I have athlete friends who believe firmly in eating fat. Golly gee, our brains can’t function without it! No wonder you melted down.
Looking forward to watching what you do this year, Jenn!
Johanna - January 12, 2010 at 2:39 am
nice to read such sensible writing on healthy eating – if only it was a matter of reducing calories it would be easy but there are always so many factors as I find when losing or gaining weight. I’d like to start making sourdough so will be interested if you get into this – and re the grains, are you able to eat soy as I love using soy flour as of the range of gf flours I use
The Leftover Queen - January 12, 2010 at 11:02 am
Hi Johanna, Unfortunately I can’t do soy – I have a very bad sensitivity to it in large or cumulative doses. But I am looking into coconut flour as another option….it is going to come down to whether I want to eat local – and use local whole wheat flour soaked, or whether I want to use non-local but easier…hard to decide, and I haven’t as of yet.