3.3 down, 26.7 to go!

Yay! Exciting news! I had my first weigh in yesterday and I'm down 3.3kg. That's 7lb in one week. So, so happy. All the pain and discomfort was worth it. I didn't even think I'd lose much because of all the swelling and lack of trips to the toilet.

Its been a good start to the week all round actually. I started back in group therapy yesterday. Its a support group for a Schema Therapy group I did last year. Its really great to be back with some of the people I was with last year and also to have some extra support. I especially need it with controlling my "insufficient self control" schema which is the schema that leads me to eating too much as a way to self soothe when I'm stressed or upset, angry, tired, lonely, bored...

I'm feeling a bit guilty though that I haven't been taking my protein shakes. But seriously can't bear them. They are absolutely vile in my opinion. I can't even tolerate the Sustagen now either. I have however discovered another way to get some serious nutrients into my system. When I was at my sister's place the other day complaining about the shakes and my lack of protein and vitamins she suggested I try Chia seeds which are these amazing little tiny seeds that are packed with so many vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, protein and omega-3 that they are one of the world's best known super foods. They are also chock block full of soluble and insoluble fibre - just what a Bandit needs in the post op liquid diet phase!

This is a quote from an Aussie website regarding Chia seeds which was the clincher for my choosing to try it:

"Chia is a fantastic way to enhance your daily diet with a bonus nutritious boost. Chia has a pleasant mild nutty taste and can be added to any food or beverage without altering the original flavour."

Another important benefit of Chia seeds are that they slow the conversion of carbohydrates into sugars, thereby regulating and sustaining healthy blood sugar levels in the body. And we know how important it is to maintain stable blood sugar to help with cravings for sugary foods and simple carbs that come with low blood glucose levels.  

I've been googling all weekend for a protein powder that is tasteless so that when I add it to a soup or smoothie it won't wreck the taste of the food, but haven't been able to find any (if anyone knows of some, let me know!). I'm not sure if Chia meets all my protein needs compared to a commercial protein shake but its a hell of a lot easier to consume. I've been adding it to runny porridge in the morning, skim milk shakes at lunch and vegetable soups at dinner.

Basically, to get the most out of the seeds you mix two tablespoons of seeds with half a cup of water. Whisk really quickly for a couple of minutes so the seeds don't form clumps then leave to stand for about 10 minutes. Watch as the water slowly turns to a gel. Its amazing! This gel then keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks. You just add as much of the gel to your food and stir it through. The gel is completely calorie free and it bulks up anything you eat. For instance, if you add two tablespoons of Chia gel to 2 tablespoons of low fat yogurt, you double the amount of yogurt without adding the extra calories. Brilliant!

Yesterday I made a delicious berry smoothie as follows:

1 handful of blueberries

6 strawberries

2 tsp low fat unsweetened yogurt

2 tsp honey

1/2 cup of skim milk

3 ice cubes

2 tablespoons of Chia gel

Blend in the blender and all the seeds are blended up and you can't even see or taste them, but all that nutritious goodness is there. 

Berry Chia Smoothie

Noo Noo endorses mum's Berry Chia Smoothie - "Yum!"

If you don't like the idea of the gel you can just add the seeds without being soaked in water. These can be added to salads, dips, stirfrys, breads, granola... you name it!

Enough of me promoting little seeds. I'm off to watch the season three finale of True Blood. How will I bear the wait to season four?

Ciao for now

V.