This afternoon I went to one of the Health Seminars that I get 50 pts for - a part of the 20 week fitness challenge. (Ends March 20). I hadn't realized that they were going to have the scales there so that you could weigh in today, rather than coming back tomorrow - otherwise I would've waited to eat my late lunch. Oh well - I still showed a 4lb loss on their scale. 10 weeks to go!
I'm trying to elliminate soy from my diet. This is somewhat difficult for me, because I am a vegetarian and while I do get protein from veggies and beans, I get a whole lot more from soy protein sources. I drink a fruit smoothie each morning which uses soy milk, soy protein, banana, various frozen fruit, and spinach.
I've been doing some research, and found that Hemp protein is about as close as I can get to the soy protein. So, tonight after the seminar I found the Whole Foods store which was listed as having Hemp products. I found the Hemp Protein powder, but did not find the Hemp milk. For right now, I still have two containers of soy milk I need to use up, so that'll wait. Little steps.
While I was there I realized that I was out of spinach. So I went to WF's HUGE veggie section and looked for bagged baby spinach (the easy way, I know, not the cheapest.) There was none to be found!
So after I was done at WF's, I headed home, stopping at Tom Thumb. I went to the bagged salad section where there usually is a ton of bagged spinach. Again, there was none! I found the produce worker and asked where the Spinach was. He told me something about it being a "hot seller" and that all the bags were off the shelf. Huh??
He led me to where the unbagged spinach was and I picked up a bunch. Not my favorite way to do spinach, but I guess it will work.
I've got to say, it was really strange to look at two different stores bagged salad areas and see no spinach. The last time I saw that was when there was a recall.
So ... Whole Foods - 1 16oz cannister of Hemp Protein Powder - $14.99
Tom Thumb -- 1 bunch of Spinach, 1 candy -- $2.77
Brings my grocery spending so far to $90.33 and leaves me with $17.91 left for the month. Hmmm . . . somehow I think I'm going to have to use some of my "other" money for groceries. There are two "grocery days" left in January - maybe I can stretch it.
Where's the Spinach?
January 13th, 2008 at 01:30 am
January 13th, 2008 at 01:33 am 1200188022
January 13th, 2008 at 01:38 am 1200188299
January 13th, 2008 at 01:48 pm 1200232099
January 13th, 2008 at 03:39 pm 1200238779
I have a thyroid condition - underactive. I've read in many different places that soy is not good in the diet of a person with thyroid problems. I've also read that many people actually have allergies to soy, and when they eat too much of it, it may actually *cause* thyroid problems, amoung other things. I grew up my whole life consuming LOTS of soy products.
I've actually known this for several years, but have been resistant to taking it out of my diet. Mainly because I've had a hard time figuring out just what I could replace it with, and still get the protein and other nutrients. I'm at a point now, where I think I'm going to be able to do it.
Another part of the reason is that I'm trying to cut out most processed foods from my diet. Most of the soy products I eat, are very processed.
January 13th, 2008 at 05:27 pm 1200245229
January 14th, 2008 at 05:02 pm 1200330175
Also, have you read "Becoming Vegetarian" or "Becoming Vegan"? I'm sure you'll know most of the info already since you've been veg for so long, but I found "Becomng Vegan" helpful when I made the transition. It outlines which nutrients you can get from all kinds of foods, some of which surprised me.
January 14th, 2008 at 06:23 pm 1200335023
I will have to take a look at those two books you mentioned. I guess I really am leaning more towards becoming vegan - though I don't know that I'll ever totally give up my eggs or cheese - just try to do them in more moderation.
January 15th, 2008 at 03:32 pm 1200411122
I'm not sure about the sweetness of rice vs soy, but now I am totally going to go home and look at the nutrition facts. You might like to read "The Vegan Diet as Chronic Disease Prevention" by Kerrie Saunders. Super interesting. It's really what pushed me over the edge to finally try being vegan!
I'll be on the lookout for non-soy protein sources. You might also want to check out the cookbook "Vegan Italiano" by Donna Klein. She doesn't use tofu. I don't have "The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen" yet (also by her) but I imagine that wouldn't use tofu either.
Awesome goals, by the way!!
January 15th, 2008 at 05:00 pm 1200416457