happenstance home

In my last post (like a month ago, oops) I mentioned that I took up walking/jogging, and shared my breakfast shake recipe.  I'm finally motivated enough to tell you a little about the eating plan I also started sometime last Spring.

So - The Virgin Diet.  Following this plan really made a change in me, and made me think of "healthy food" in a completely different way.

The basics of The Virgin Diet are that you give up the top 7 High-Fi Foods - meaning the foods that are most likely responsible for food intolerance.  You give them up all at once for 21 days.  Some food intolerance symptoms:  bloating, indigestion, fatigue, mental fog, weight gain, moodiness, etc.

Here is a list of what JJ Virgin considers to be the top 7:
gluten
soy
dairy
eggs
corn
peanuts
sugar and artificial sweeteners

After 21 days you begin cycle 2 - every week for 4 weeks you test one of the foods you gave up.

When I started the testing process Spring was well underway, and I began to get a bit confused as to what was environmental allergies compared to food allergies so I ended up getting tested specifically for food allergies.  I can say that when I cut out the above foods I felt great, had so much more energy, was no longer bloated, and the stomachaches I had endured since childhood had all but disappeared. I lost weight as well.  I knew I was finally headed in the right direction.

So, I tested positive at the allergists office for dairy/casein and corn allergies.  Now that I know what allergies I have I do my best to avoid my trigger foods.  I'm right in the middle as far as severity so I just try to avoid them as much as possible.  The dairy is the worst.  That is what I mean about healthy foods - yogurt, milk, cheese - advertised as healthy - and yes as long as you are not allergic they can be.  For me these "healthy" choices were causing many problems.    In my everyday life now I try to still limit the 7 foods as much as possible.  It is not always easy, and I still go out and enjoy myself.  The rewards are just really worth what seems to be a sacrifice.  Simply, I just feel better when I eat this way.  (I'm a baby kale salad addict)

There is so much detail in The Virgin Diet book.  I would really recommend it to anyone.  It lead me to learn more about food and how I personally react to it, and the result is a healthier and happier me.

When you look at my breakfast shake recipe you see that there is no dairy - I've found substitutions that I really enjoy.  There isn't any sugary juice - just berries.  The ground chia seed is super healthy, and gluten free.  The chocolate powder and cocoa powder satisfy my sweet tooth.  Starting the day this way usually makes it much easier to continue to make good choices throughout the day.

So, that is the end of me talking about my healthy changes.  I know the subject of health isn't why you usually stop by to read, but I really believe in this and wanted to share.

I am going to be taking photo's at Before and After Interiors Friday afternoon so please check back late Friday for a peek into Beverlys shop all ready for Saturday's Holiday Open House.

When the Summer started I started something new.  That was to get up, get dressed, and go out walking.  At the beginning 45 minutes felt like torture (mentally and physically), but then over time I began to look forward to my walking time.  It really became a  peaceful moment in my day, and I wanted to get out there on that pavement.  Before I knew it I was walking 4 miles every morning.  When I could walk it all I began jogging some of it, and when you add little by little guess what?  You can end up being able to run the whole thing, and that it a great feeling.  Anyhow - if moving more is something you want to start - get out there and do it!  You can do it!

Now that the weather is changing it can be more challenging to stay warm (50 degrees this morning), but I am keeping up with my walking/jogging/running.  I just go at whatever pace I feel like that day. I thought I would share with you the drink that I make each morning when I get back home.  I always go out on an empty stomach -  a trainer I know told me if you do that you burn your fat instead of the breakfast that you just consumed.  Just a little tip - it sounds sensible.



My Vegan Based - Dairy and Gluten Free - Protein Smoothie - Chocolate Raspberry

1 cup water
1 cup Silk unsweetened original almond milk
1 heaping tablespoon ground chia seed
 raw almond butter - I just stick the knife in the jar and then drop and big glop of it into the blender
a big handful of Earthbound Farm organic power greens
a couple sprinkles of cinnamon
1 heaping tablespoon of raw organic cocoa powder
Virgin Diet extra fiber - I use a half serving
1 level scoop of Nutri-Bullet powder
2 level scoops of The Virgin Diet Chocolate All In One Shake
1 cup organic raspberries (I like Trader Joe's) 


I use a simple Kitchen Aid blender - just put all ingredients in the blender - then mix-puree-liquify!  Mine is a little thick, but that is because of the fiber.  Omit the fiber if you want a thinner consistency.  I just started playing around with the ingredients, and this is what I came up with that I like and stick with.  One last note is that I also rotate the chocolate powder here and there.  When I don't use The Virgin Diet chocolate powder I use Garden of Life Raw Protein - Beyond Organic Protein Formula in the Chocolate Cocoa flavor powder, and then increase the raw cocoa powder to 2 heaping tablespoons - otherwise I don't think it has enough chocolate flavor :)  The Garden of Life powder is a little chalky.  I also sometimes use 1 scoop of The Virgin diet powder and 1/2 of a scoop of the Garden of Life powder with 1 heaping tablespoon of cocoa powder.  This way I am getting a full serving of protein, but mixing up the powders.


That is a lot of rambling on about a shake, but it's not your normal Smoothie.  Eliminating certain foods from your diet makes it more challenging or maybe I should say just different from traditional thinking when combining ingredients.  I will talk more about the JJ Virgin diet in my next post.  That will give you more of an idea how I ended up with this, and you will see that it is loaded with healthiness and foods that are less likely to cause inflammation in your body.  Let's just say I always thought dairy was a healthy food to consume - and it is UNLESS you are allergic.  The truth is the same for all foods - so just think - that something you think you are eating that is good for you could be causing you problems.

Hope everyone is well.

Happy Thursday!