You Learn Something Every Day, By Golly!
Last night, we finally touched on the nutritional aspects of vegetarian lifestyles. What I noticed was that I was fascinated and totally glued to the Chef as he lectured, more so than usual. Call me a closet nutrition geek, but I have played with this stuff for a long time, especially of late with Brian and his exercise regimen. I had always thought that by missing meat, one was going to lose amino acids, those vital components that help bodies utilize proteins, but not so. Some grains, called SuperGrains actually are considered Complete Proteins themselves (wha?? impossible!). They contain their owwn source of protein AND carry along the necessary aminos. They are:
Quinoa (keen-WAH), in any color, be it white, red or black
Amaranth
Buckwheat or Kasha
And, last but not least, Hemp seed, from everyone’s favorite plant.
Soy comes close, but no cigar.
SO, combining foods outside of the Supergrains garners you a complete set of aminos:
Hummus (legume)
Tahina (Sesame seed)
Pita bread (wheat grains)
Steamed rice (grain)
Soy Sauce (fermented legume)
Sesame seed garnish (seed)
Peanut butter on wheat bread with a sesame candy chaser
Steamed rice, vegetable satay (peanut butter, sesame paste, soy)
Shall I keep going?
Don’t Try This Alone
Well, it looks like I have a buddy doing this challenge with me over the Internet. Totally unprovoked, he stepped up during a chat on Facebook, volunteered and has started the month with me. He has a fantastic wife that can probably cook me under the table, so he has an assistant in his corner. She allegedly is not a fan of meat, and I’ll bet she comes up with some killer cuisine, as she is Peruvian, and food outside this country generally rocks. Unless you are in England, of course. Michael may want to chime in and offer commentary here and there during the month, so a guest author might be making an appearance.
Daily Report
Today’s morning blood sugar: 101
Today’s food:
One packet of Berry Flavored Whey Protein Isolate (kinda watery, not unpalatable)
Coffee
Natural peanut butter on wheat toast
2 hardboiled Omega 3 enriched eggs
1/4 cup yogurt instead of mayonnaise
1 1/4 corn tortillas
(this is also called Eggsalad, BTW)
One sweet pink grapefruit
Sauteed chard, butternut squash and garbanzos with smoked tofu, garlic and shallots
One very nasty-assed whey and hemp protein drink (I had to hide it from my classmates, it was gross)
At school, the usual assortment of veggie goodies lay all over:
cucumber and quinoa salad, wheat bread, Carribean stews, Chinese stirfry, Japanese yummies, a few tasty items. I did my best to not over-eat like last night’s felafel fest. I am totally loaded up on vegetables and a little fruit chutney, but not too badly stuffed. Not a bad night at all.
Day 2 and the Peruvian and I are hanging in there….