Kauai, Here I Come...

I'll be spending Feb. 1- Feb. 9th eating wheat-free, dairy-free, and mostly sugar free (I'm planning to cheat a bit on vacation!) in Po'ipu Beach Kauai.

My plan is to get recharged, rejuvenated and slow down.
You know, YOU might want to do the same. Go book your next vacation now.
You deserve it!

I'll be back with more after Feb. 12th...

Much love!
Heather

www.HeatherStrang.com

Dharma update

Hey folks,

It's week 4 of the Dharma case study. Progress to date? Her IBS has vanished, 4 1/2 pounds gone, including 4 inches and she has more energy. Not bad, eh? Removing processed grains, dairy and sugar really makes a difference in your overall health. To step up the weight loss - a regular workout program and more attention to portions should do the trick.

"Well, I am going on week four of my WF, DF and low sugar and it now seems like an effortless part of my life (more than I ever imagined). As far as weight loss goes, I have honestly been losing more inches than pounds. This week’s weigh in makes 4 and a half pounds total and I have lost 2 inches around my abdomen, 1 around my waist and 1 around my chest. Yahoo! I am feeling very good about the results and I look forward to more in the future. I am definitely, without a doubt going to continue with this way of eating because of how it makes me feel.

I do think over the next few weeks I will practice more portion control. I haven’t really exercised much of that so far because I did not want to feel totally deprived!

This is a journey and a process. Everyday I learn more and more about my body and I love that! The thing that has become crystal clear to me is that the body IS like a machine and its performance is almost completely dependent on how you fuel it. That sounds clique-ish but this eating program has proven that to me.

I would encourage anyone, with or without weight to lose, to give this a chance. It is soooo worth it!
--Dharma"

Back From the Dead & Dharma's Post

Sorry for the late post folks! That damn cold got a hold of me. I've been living off Ener-G Tapioca Bread and chicken with wild rice. The good news? I finally feel like a human being again. Below is a Dharma update - enjoy! And I love wine as much as the next gal, so I know exactly what Dharma is talking about. Better choice? Vodka with club soda and lime. I still need to research the origins of Vodka - but it seems to do better on my tummy than wine...Heather

"Another great week being gluten and dairy free and low sugar! Well, I say low sugar but I had quite a bit of wine this weekend which I know did me in. The interesting part is that I felt extremely bloated on Sunday and Monday as a result of too much sugar (aka wine) on Saturday night. I went away for the weekend to stay with some friends (hence the drinking) and thought at first that would be an issue, but I just brought along my “stash” of gluten free bread and almond milk and tortilla chips (in place of their crackers) and it went smoothly!

I am still feeling super good as a result of the food choices I am making. But here is this week’s revelation…(Stop reading here if you do not want the gory details.)

So, the best way to say it is that my pipes are cleaner than they have ever been…ever! I can honestly say that I have never been so regular and with a history of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), this is a very welcomed change. I used to wonder why my stomach was always gurgling after eating and I thought it was just a natural part of the digestion process. But NOPE! The gurgling ceased this week. I think my intestines have it so easy now because they are not having to struggle with digesting such processed food stuff. I don’t know if this is a scientific fact. I am just telling you my take on what’s going on.

VERY COOL STUFF!

I KNOW I am losing inches as I feel it in my clothing.

Stay tuned…
--Dharma"

www.HeatherStrang.com

Soy Smoothie = Mmm...

How many "m's" are truly appropriate for the "word" (I use that term lightly) "Mmm..."?
I'm sticking with 3 total - but if I'm wrong - someone please tell me.

In the meantime, for those of you on the go - check out this great soy smoothie recipe. It's full of protein and is perfect after a hard workout. Like my new Billy Blanks dvd...

Mango & Strawberry Smoothie
1.5 c Silk Chocolate Light Soy Milk
1/2 c frozen mango/strawberry fruit blend (can find at any Fred Meyer store)
3 T soy protein powder (in bulk foods section at Winco, Fred Meyer, or most other large grocery stores)
1 t ground flaxseeds

Crush the frozen fruit in the blender on high for 1 minute. Then add soy milk, protein powder, and flaxseeds. Blend for 2 minutes. Enjoy!

--Heather

www.HeatherStrang.com

Warm Yourself Up...

It's cold outside. I mean - really, really, brutally, so-not-like-Oregon cold out. My solution?

Turkey chili.

It's healthy, tastes good and will warm you up in no time. Added benefit? It cooks in the CrockPot (best invention EVER) all day, so your home smells delicious and is a bit warmer.

Turkey Chili
1-16oz. can kidney beans
1-16oz. can pinto beans
1-16oz. can black beans
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 small yellow onion – chopped
1 small green pepper – chopped
1 14.5oz diced tomatoes
3 T tomato paste
4 T chili powder
1 T garlic salt
1 t salt & 1 t pepper

Put all ingredients in crock pot. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
Enjoy! -Heather

www.HeatherStrang.com

First - Ever Case Study!

Skeptical about food intolerance induced weight gain? Not sure if cutting out wheat, dairy, and processed sugar is the right move for you?

Well, Dharma Jones (not her real name - she prefers to remain anonymous, as she's a well-known professional in the area), 36, is going to put it to the test for you. A skeptic by nature, Dharma has 20 pounds that won't seem to budge, and she isn't a big fan of "traditional dieting". I don't blame her - diets don't work! She doesn't eat a whole lot of processed foods and she walks daily. But, for some reason, she cannot lose the weight.

When I told her about my experience, the blog, and the upcoming book - she wanted to learn more. And so, I created a meal plan and gave her the guidelines of the plan. She is following it for 4 weeks and I will document her progress via this blog.

She'll be adding her comments every Monday to update us on her progress.

So far, it's been 3 days (she began officially on Jan. 8th). She has already noticed an increase in energy levels and reports feeling "lighter". I've had her weigh herself and take measurements. Dharma will weigh herself every week. I'm looking forward to seeing what Monday's weigh-in brings. Stay tuned!

--Heather

www.HeatherStrang.com

Raspberry Freezer Jam

What is it about winter that makes me want to eat toast with jam? I'm not sure, but it hits me every morning. Eating both on a wheat-free, dairy-free, and low sugar diet might seem like a challenge. Fortunately, it's not.

Try any of my favorite toast breads:
Kinnikinnick Italian Tapioca White Rice Bread- gluten free
Ener-g Tapioca Bread-gluten free
Ezekiel bread

Then make raspberry freezer jam:
4 c raspberries (since it's winter, frozen will work - make it organic though)
1 package Ball Fruit Jell Freezer Jam Pectin - No Sugar Needed

Follow the instructions on the pectin package - use Splenda - 1 cup is plenty.
Freeze and enjoy! And get the cute little mason jars. You know you want too...

--Heather

www.HeatherStrang.com

Another Reason to Love Canada...

...Kinnikinnick Foods.

Over lunch last week, Kinnikinnick Foods came into my consciousness.
At a grocery jaunt over the weekend at New Seasons, I picked up their Italian Tapioca White Rice Bread. Yummilicious. Only 90 calories per slice, this bread melts in your mouth. It's perfect for toast (topped with 1 T soy nut butter) or grilled sandwiches. Grilled turkey and cheese may be even better - I'll let you know.

Their website showcases more of the same. Donuts! Bagels! Cinnamon Rolls! ALL Gluten-free. I am in heaven. Heavy on the carbs, but perfect for a treat or special occasion.

AND, get this - I can order and have it all delivered.

Kinnikinnick just made my month...

Happy wheat-free eating!
--Heather

www.HeatherStrang.com

Luna Bar Saves the Day

I am completely out of food.

No Ezekiel bread, Healthy Choice lunch meat (perfect for quesadilla's & salads!), or soy milk.
I'm even out of my trusted Odwalla bars, which I use as a meal replacement in a jam.

So, yet again - it is the Luna Bar that saves me. I stock pile Luna Bars as if Armageddon really were near (and if it were, would the Luna Bars really do me any good? Who knows, but I have TONS of them.)

My absolute favorite is the Iced Oatmeal Raisin, followed closely by the Lemon Zest. I ate the Nuts over Chocolate for roughly 2 years before converting to oatmeal. I'm one of those die hards that can eat the same thing over and over again until I completely burn out on it.

So, thank you Luna Bar - you completed my nutritional needs once again.
Now, I need to get over to the grocery store!

--Heather

www.HeatherStrang.com

Chocolate Mousse Pie

The holidays are officially over.
Which means, sometime next week - in the midst of the first full week back to work - you're going to feel a bit empty inside.

No parties or wine or rich food.
And that's why you need to make this chocolate mousse pie. It's healthy, delicious, and above all - it will make you feel better.

Try it out - I just made it for a dinner party and everyone LOVED it.

-9" spelt pie crust - Wholly Wholesome makes a good one
-1 16oz. package of NaSoya Silken Tofu (drained)
-2 t vanilla extract
-8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
-4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
-Cool-Whip sugar free whipped topping

Bake pie crust at 400 degrees for 7 minutes. Microwave chocolate until melted (approx. 3 minutes). Puree tofu, then add melted chocolate. Puree until completely mixed. Add vanilla extract. Blend well. Once pie crust is cooled, pour mixture into crust. Chill 1 hour, then serve with cool-whip.

--Heather

www.HeatherStrang.com