A new journey

It looks like there will be no more daily menus from the CCGS Jean Goodwill.

I had a medical last December. I was deemed unfit for work at sea. My knees finally did me in. After trips to my family doctor, x-rays, and an initial assesment at the Knee and Hip Clinic, I have been put on a waiting list for surgery.

To lessen to strain on my knees, I have been trying to lose weight. After a trip to a dietitian, I started to journal what I eat. Not working and preparing a variety of meals for 30 people daily helps to keep me to a routine. So far I have went from 264 pounds to 235 pounds this morning.

I am not starving myself to do this. I am just try to eat better and not consume calories because I am bored. I have seen the Japanese word “kuchisabishi” used to discribe this “I am not hungry, my mouth is lonely”. My snacks have been carrot sticks, baby dill pickles, gherkins, apple slices, cut up fruit, fresh cherries, berries, things that have crunch, or natural sweetness, or a sour bite to them. The idea is to eat things that make you aware that you are eating.

When I am preparing meals, I try to add as many vegetables possible, without changing things too much. Whole grains such as brown rice or kamut, faro, or quinoa are a staple. Beans, black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans make up a large part of my mid day meal (usually in a wrap of with rice). Dinner is a more normal type thing, again vegetables whole grains and watching portion sizes.

I will start to post my daily meals for anyone that wants to follow along

I will be posting a few recipes as we go. I still owe Gord 1 or 2 that he asked me for.