Wellness Wednesday - The Broccoli Edition

Gracious.

I love broccoli.

It's my vegetable love affair of the month.

I steam it, I roast it, I saute it -

I eat about two cups a day -

not a big fan of it raw.

The following is from Wikipedia -

Broccoli is high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium.^[7] A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C.^[8] The 3,3'-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity.^[9][10] Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anti-cancer compound sulforaphane, though the benefits of broccoli are greatly reduced if the vegetable is boiled.^[11] Broccoli is also an excellent source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical which boosts DNA repair in cells and appears to block the growth of cancer cells.^[12][13]

Steaming broccoli for 3–4 minutes is recommended to maximize potential anti-cancer compounds, such as sulforaphane.Boiling reduces the levels of suspected anti-carcinogenic compounds in broccoli, with losses of 20 – 30% after five minutes, 40 – 50% after ten minutes, and 77% after thirty minutes. However, other preparation methods such as steaming, microwaving, and stir frying had no significant effect on the compounds.

Broccoli has the highest levels of carotenoids in the brassica family. It is particularly rich in lutein and also provides beta-carotene.

Broccoli.

It's what's for supper.

I'm sitting here struggling a bit on how to start all of the drivel.

I'm going to tell you how I eat.

Let me preface it by saying, I'm not saying YOU should eat this way, or that the Bootcamp requirements are that you eat this way.

My Coach gave all of us in Bootcamp a week's challenge to drop wheat, dairy, soy, and all processed foods.

I went through the five stages of mourning.

Denial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

I literally cried on day three - 'I can't eat anything', 'there's nothing that I can eat', 'I can't live like this'.

Coach warned me that if I didn't stop thinking about what I couldn't have, and focus on what I could have - I'd never be successful.

I woke up on Day Four feeling like a new woman.

Gals - I just kept eating that way after the week's challenge was up.

I haven't been perfect, and it's not about being perfect - it's not about saying 'I'll never eat X again'.

I'm more in acceptance now that it's just much better for me not to eat certain foods - especially processed foods containing preservatives and artificial colors, which really make my brain squirrely - wheat and dairy - wow - I had no idea they did such a number on me.

Remember in my early videos - I kept sucking my snot?  Ha - ya, I don't do that anymore without dairy.  If I have a latte or something now - I will be so congested, coughing up phlegm (sorry Janie) - and you don't want to be around my backside.  Glenco calls it 'my dairy aire'.  Clever boy.

Wheat?  I just get a bad stomach ache and feel awfully fatigued.

I could talk for the rest of the day about fatigue.

Oh girl - did I have it.  I pushed myself through everyday of my life it seemed.

Sheer stubbornness got me through most days.

So what do I eat?

Meat, eggs, fruit and veggies.

Occasionally, brown rice, sweet potatoes, oatmeal and nuts.

A little olive oil.

Water, tea.

One meal a week, I eat whatever I want - I'm still working on that so that it's not a bingey type meal that makes me feel sick.

My pantry is completely empty now other than a few cans of black beans and tomatoes.

All my food's in the fridge.

I don't eat food that has more than one ingredient for the most part!

Yep.

I know.

Y'all are clutching your chest right about now right?

Trust me.

You are talking to the gal who's very identity was in the loaf of bread she made.

Who's very self-worth was based on what she served guests for dinner.

I am a food addict.

I'm not joking.

For me to have this transformation?

It's epic.

I really didn't feel that I could do it on my own.

I'm so thankful for Coach.

I have struggled all my life.

Overweight.

Fatigue.

Achiness.

ADHD.

Bouts of mild depression.

Since eliminating certain foods, I feel a new.

I'm bounding with energy.

I have no PMS or menopausal symptoms whatsoever. (remember, I'm pert near 50)

I sleep like a baby.

I'm alert and mentally focused.

I have no bad hunger pangs.

I feel more in control of other areas in my life.

My blood pressure is text book perfect.

My self esteem is through the roof.

I want to keep this short today, because I don't want to overwhelm you with information.

What does a typical day in the Coop Keeper's kitchen look like now?

Breakfast - my beloved homemade turkey breast sausage and two cups of fruit.

Lunch - nice portion of chicken breast, sauteed in one teaspoon of olive oil with onions, garlic and whatever veggie I happen to have a lot of  - could be spinach, tomatoes, broccoli - I put about 3 cups of asst. veggies in the pan and cook til tender.

Dinner - perhaps I'll make a Rosemary Turkey Meatloaf, mash some cauliflower, and have some fresh green beans.

Snack - more fruit

I want to share this link with you - my friend Marne is on a similar journey, and is having similar results of feeling fantastic.

We are all in this together - and together we can help each other be successful.

Please let me know if you are on this journey, and blog about it so I can link to your blog next week!

Eat clean my friends!