When the rubber meets the road

It has been a week since I drove away from True North. To say I appreciate food more now is an understatement. Many people go there to break addictions to food/salt/sugar/oils/cigarettes even. Sometimes I wonder if it has triggered something of a food obsession for me. /-:  I feel very hungry a lot and have gained back about 9 lbs. One doctor warned that our bodies may wonder if we're going to not eat again for awhile ... I've been cooking a lot. I had a craving for boxed mac and cheese when I was at True North; I think I just wanted comfort food when I felt so terrible. I found recipes and tried one on my grandkids. Andy and Cam and I thought it wasn't too bad; in fact, it was surprisingly good with the cheese sauce made primarily from cashews, but the girls asked for the regular stuff.  I made the most amazing tofu and rice that mimics Tso's chicken (kinda like orange chicken from a restaurant). Wow! It was amazing and will take care of asian food cravings for...

H all, I've been out of True North for a couple days. Hmmmmm. The thought of limiting my feeding window (some call it Intermittent Fasting) is impossible. I find myself hungry A LOT. It is to be expected. My body is wondering if I'm going to go without food for a long time again. I have been trying to focus on greens - at least a big colorful salad for lunch is easy. Then, I allow myself whatever warm meal that I can arrange with no animal products whatsoever for dinner is OK - trying to get as many veggies in as possible. Fruit and nuts for breakfast and Fruit or veggies for snacks / desserts. The reality - I've overeaten a couple times - an enchilada casserole I made with a vegan cheese and meat and, on another day, a no-meat pizza with vegan cheese. I've decided I hate these vegan meat and cheese alternatives, so far. They feel like fake food - which is certainly not the point of "whole food/plant based" eating. I do plan do make some of the meat alte...

 As I prepare to head out tomorrow morning, I wanted to document some things more detailed. I can't conclude this without thanking YOU and so many who have remembered me, prayed for me, and loved me through this challenge. I hope it has encouraged you too. Be blessed! And I hope to see you soon. A little picture history.... Day 1 12/8/19 133.9 lbs (Once was 225 - unbelievable) BP 113/78 Our last meal. Scared. To. Death! Someone sent this to me...still don't know who. Thank you!!! I love it! Dr. Goldhamer. What a vision he had to create this place! Messing around with Kiyomi, making our trailer. Notice I am surrounded by my loved ones. Blanket, pillow, and my sweatshirt had the handprints of the kids in the family all over it. So many people commented how well surrounded I was by my family all month. If they only knew... <3 Michele and Ainsley Weiss from Texas. Such nice people!  A new outfit cause nothing fits anymore.  ...

True North Day 29 Can't believe tomorrow is my last day here. I leave the next morning, heading south to my sister's for a night and then to Colorado the next day. They suggest a few weeks after fasting before having to fully function. You're body is wondering if you'll starve it again. Energy can drop suddenly. Decisions can be questionable.  They also say that for every week of fasting, expect a month of recovery, strength and stamina wise.  The doctor suggested I go back to work Jan. 21, which was feasible with my work responsibilities, so I get to go see my hubby, most of my kids, and my 4 precious grandchildren who have wondered why Nama is missing birthdays and Christmas and such. I need this medicine, to be sure!  Tomorrow I plan an in-depth summary of my time here with symptoms and stats. I know --- riveting.  I was just reminded again how I've been prayed through this. I can't thank you enough. I can't thank God enough. I...

True North Day 28 Hey all,  What a great day! Today, my dear big faithful brother married his love, Geri. God is just. so. good!  I pray you are yours are well. I found out two titans from my church passed away recently. My heart is heavy for their loved ones today and I'm praying they are at peace as life changes so very drastically. These two people were two of the people who have buoyed me...for years, even decades. I don't remember meeting them or why we clicked. But they both supported me with their warm smiles, supportive comments, and love. Yes, love. All those Sundays. How blessed I've been. Lives well lived and now, eternity with our Lord is the promise. There is so much joy in that.  Good night all. xoxo

Day 27  True North Hey.  Check out bravopb.com for great healthful cooking.  And I like a couple on you tube called Krocks in the Kitchen. They have lost over 300 lbs together on a whole foods plant based diet and I like their recipes (peanut butter chocolate cookies - yum!).  Night night all. With love! 

True North Day 26 Hi there,  Since I can't find my extra pair of glasses and left my main pair at meditation tonight, I'm keeping this short so I don't type and publish something by mistake and don't get any more wrinkles as i squint.  Good night. With love. xoxo ps. the video I mentioned is below. Really, I don't mean to participate in bashing any diets. We are all figuring stuff out. I just really respect these people and it's current:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeKelRpEgdI&t=1147s

True North  Day 25 Sorry I forgot to post last night. Thank you, Nance, for letting me know!  Tonight, after making the video, I attended a lecture by Dr. Doug Lisle, psychologist. Some of his videos have been good but somewhat annoying to me so I wasn't really enthusiastic about going. I'm so glad I did. Dr. Lisle cowrote the book, The Pleasure Trap, with Dr. Goldhamer, the founder of this place. They clearly identify in that book how we are super charging our tastebuds and nervous system to need very concentrated combinations of salt, sugar, and fat. He talked about how foods in nature, the ones that are good for us, don't combine these things, especially at very concentrated levels. We are simply, addicted to them. It is tempting here to think you have to be 100% perfect to overcome this. Admittedly, just like any addition, that would be ideal. But, is it possible? Feasible? Sustainable?  He has identified another powerful force called the Ego Tr...

Day 24 True North I forgot to post this last night. We had a couple friends over to play cards. Happy New Year!!! We are watching a video right now called Eating. We were both moving toward allowing ourselves about 5% of our diet in animal products, since most healthy populations eat less than 5% animal proteins in their diets. The research on reversing or stalling disease really doesn't support it. I'm going back to none-until I'm healed at least. It's a challenge, but I can do it. See Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's work. It's been replicated over and over, but he's the pioneer and has done the longest study in history. He flatly stated that there is not one case of a person reversing coronary heart disease by doing what we all have been told about moderation. Imagine having a heart attack, being told you need heart surgery, but leaving the hospital, changing you diet radically, and stumping the doctors only a few months later. It happens. This vid...