I heard about her on Dr. Melissa West’s podcast (which I love), Returning to the Body Mind. Melissa interviewed her, and I was riveted and  inspired, and I checked out her website and her fasts as soon as humanly possible. I think the thing that inspired me the most to get fasting was Moira’s idea of teaching or advocating for causes not by preaching but by being a fabulous example. Her glowing skin, abundant energy and positive attitude certainly inspire me to dump my Starbucks soy no-water-tazo-chai AND cookie addictions horrible habits and start eating clean — as in, at least for 21 days, no wheat, no sugar, no coffee, no alcohol and, of course, no animal products.

I’ve talked about this before. I’ve been trying to diet (again) for years now, but I haven’t been able to stick to one plan since the Rascal was born — eating horribly became my coping mechanism for horrific symptoms of prenatal anxiety and OCD (it was the worst in the Fall)…. And now I seriously have a good 20 pounds to lose. I really really do. It’s important. For my health. And because my daughter’s still young enough that she won’t notice if I shed a ton of weight….

I never want her to see me “diet,” anyway. So, let’s just not call it a diet. It’s a fast, a cleanse. Losing weight will be the by-product of a healthier, lighter, happier, cleaner, more energetic me…. More on this on the main site…. In the meantime, here’s a video promo of Moira’s new “Autumn Fast.” (See HERE for how you can get the fast for FREE!)

So thank you Moira! And thanks, too, to @lindseyjay for motivating me with tweets every day — and Moira herself (@feelgoodguru) checking in with tweets. LOVE!

Moira (a Toronto resident, by the way!) is totally generous with her ideas, and she’s encouraged me to share some recipes from the fast with you. The first is the all-important GREEN SMOOTHIE! Enjoy….! (This recipe has been lifted word-for-word from Moira’s fast.)

Here’s how for 2:

Soak a cup of organic almonds overnight in spring water.
This activates the live enzymes in the almonds – packed full
of potential, beautiful trees waiting to grow. In the morning,
drain and rinse.

In a blender or vita-mix:

Add to the almonds 1 organic banana, 1 organic mango or
other fruit like orange, pear, apple, pineapple or whatever
looks great at the farmers’ market or in the produce
section. (Always buy organic to avoid countless toxic
chemicals in and on your food.)

Add a cup of your favorite soy milk,
almond milk or rice milk (I use Eden
Original for my smoothies), a cup of
orange or apple juice, 2 tablespoons of
a green food supplement (I’m using
Garden of Life Perfect Food Super Green
Formula), 2 tablespoons of walnut,
hemp seed or flax seed oil, and a pinch
of cinnamon.

Blend until all the ingredients are velvety
smooth. Sip slowly at room temperature
and feel immediately the benefits of
going green.

So…who’s with me? If you’re with me, you can grab the ebook FOR FREE — HERE’S HOW!

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OY! It’s a chicken-egg scenario. Only, of course, I don’t eat chicken. Or eggs. Or dairy. Or anything animal. Which makes PASSIONATE FOOD a bit of a challenge — both for myself and the kids.

SO, to end this DOWNWARD SPIRAL into doom and gloom and BLAND FOOD. I’m menu planning. At least for the kids. And, I’m getting out all my ammunition, as follows:

1. Better Food for Kids

2. The Eat-Clean Diet for Families & Kids

3. Wholesome Meals for Babies and Toddlers

4. Organic Baby & Toddler Cookbook

5. Brain Foods for Kids

That’s A LOT of kids’ and kid-friendly cookbooks. I have NO excuse for not getting edible food on the table.

And, I KNOW, I’m being hard on myself. Most kids are picky eaters. There’s not a WHOLE lot I can do. But, I want to try a little harder to APPEAL to their senses….

I’m not sure how much I’m going to take from the books, but there are tons of ideas in all of them. I’ll share recipes with you throughout the week. Anyway! Here goes. Weekday Menu Plan for THIS WEEK. CHECK IT!

BREAKFAST:

Will be easy this week. I’m going to make my — now famous, apparently — nutrient-packed VEGAN MUFFINS. When I run out of those, I have our favourite waffles….

LUNCH & DINNER:

Monday:

Lunch: Macaroni and cheese (a healthier version than Kraft). Sliced tomato and cucumber, and a fruit. I’m going to sneak in some PUREED butternut squash into the macaroni and cheese. The squash adds a richness to the colour, a subtle sweetness to the taste, and, of course nutrients and fiber.

Dinner: BAKED SALMON (recipe from Better Food for Kids to come). The monkeys LOVE salmon, and I never make it. Let’s give it a try…. I’ll bake some SWEET POTATO wedges, and steam some broccoli (sprinkled with almonds?) on the side. Recipes to come.

Tuesday:

Lunch: (Aka HELL DAY because I teach yoga at 1pm, which leaves me only HALF AN HOUR, after I pick Monkey up from preschool, to feed them). Leftover Mac and Cheese, sliced tomato and cucumber, and a fruit.

Dinner: Organic (Hallelujah brand) Chicken fingers and veggies (because I’m getting tired just LOOKING at this menu plan, AND Josh-O has dinner plans).

Wednesday:

Lunch: HUMMUS and vegetable wraps. Mmmm, something I can enjoy with them. VEGAN LUNCH. You should see my little Rascal eating a wrap. So fancy!

Dinner: IT’SGRANDMA’S COOKING.

Thursday:

Lunch: Peanut butter and jam on a bagel/toast. Milk/chocolate milk (for the monkey). Fruit.

Dinner: FRITTATA TIME! (recipe to come)

Friday:

Lunch: Hummus and pita, veggies, fruit.

Dinner: IT’SGRANDMA’S COOKING.

Who am I kidding. It’s such a lot of cooking and cleaning ALL THE TIME — this motherhood thing. Nobody tells you there’s going to be SO MUCH COOKING and cleaning ALL THE TIME. So, here I am telling you.

I also noticed that my kids wouldn’t eat MOST of the recipes from the above cookbooks. So much for my ammunition…. I’ve been flipping and re-flipping through them all and thinking MY KIDS WILL NEVER EAT THAT! Sigh….

So, you tell me, Gorgeouses! What are some of your favourite kids’ meals? (And, you don’t have to be a parent to answer this!)

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Q: My baby is almost 4 months old…what do you recommend regarding exercise, losing weight and breastfeeding? I have read conflicting things and would like to know the best, safest way to lose the baby weight without it affecting my breastmilk.

Thank you!

–Michelle B.

A: This is a question that is near and dear to my heart since I am expecting my first baby at the end of August. I am someone who practiced what I preached. I kept a pretty strict diet and worked out pretty hard – I avoided wheat, dairy and most starches/sugar on a regular basis and weight lifted at least 2 times per week plus cardio 4-5 times per week. WOW did my world get turned upside down when I got pregnant. Needless to say that I have put on more then a couple pounds and had to slow down with the workouts. The result is that I feel fat! I know, I know…I’m pregnant but I thought I would be one of those people who only gained the appropriate 25 pounds. NOT SO!

When I got this question it sparked an urge to formulate a “Bring Sexy Back” plan for all of you moms who want their pre-baby body’s back.

From the research I have done, it is okay to work out pretty intensely assuming you exercised pre baby. It’s the calories you take in or lack thereof that mostly affects the amount of breast milk you will produce. As long as you are providing your body with the right amount of calories coming from good quality, ‘clean’ food there should be no reason you can’t lose the weight!

THE “BRINGING SEXY BACK” PLAN

*If you have never exercised before reduce the exercise portion by half the days and time and work up to 4-5 days per week.

Consult your physician before starting any exercise or diet plan.

Consistency is key!

Exercise:
Cardio: 4-5 times per week for at least 30 minutes (moderate to vigorous intensity)
• Walking/running on the treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical or stair climbing.
• Classes at a gym.
• Going for a brisk walk with a stroller.

Nutrition:
Breastfeeding moms need to make sure they are getting enough calories. For weight loss purposes it’s the type of calories that matter. Maximize your eating by consuming lots of low calorie foods like fruits and veggies!

Tips:
• Make sure you are eating every 3-4 hours
• Don’t let yourself get hungry – then the cravings are too strong to avoid
• Ensure you have cut up fruits and veggies on hand to snack on
• Spend some time cooking and freezing – helps to avoid ordering take out
• ALL MEALS SHOULD CONTAIN A LEAN PROTEIN AND GOOD QUALITY FAT
• Avoid starch at dinner
• Avoid empty calories – sugar is the enemy!
• Load up on fiber

Breakfast: HAVE IT!
• Make sure it contains protein and a complex (full of fiber) carb
• Slow cooking oats with egg whites or cottage cheese is a good choice

Snacks: Fruit with nuts or whole grain crackers with a nut butter

Lunch:
• ½ cup complex carb (quinoa, brown rice etc.)
• 4oz protein
• Veggies
• 1 tbsp fat

Snack: Veggies with hummus, cheese, or yoghurt

Dinner:
• 4 oz protein
• 2 cup veggies
• 2 tbsp fat

I plan to have a protein shake later on in the evening or throughout the night if I get hungry. [Haley's note: for a good protein shake recipe, try Lori's Shake To Go!]

Remember that everyone is different [Haley's note: If you want a more personalized plan, email Lori herself!]. I have had clients who couldn’t lose the weight until they stopped breastfeeding. Consuming organic, good quality food and avoiding processed simple sugars is a great place to start!

Good luck!

Lori

CHECK OUT LORI’S BIO HERE!

Got a nutrition question of your own, Gorgeouses? Ask LORI (click here to ask your question). LOVE!

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Anyway, I’m using this space, at least today, to figure out what I need to do tomorrow, when I start my new diet FOR REALS.

So, NEW binder is open.

Let’s figure this out together….

Breakfast: LORI’S SHAKE TO GO (totally yum….)

Lunch: Ezekiel bread, Wild salmon (canned), Mayo, veggies.

Snack: STARBUCKS CHAI TEA LATTE Raspberries, Cottage Cheese, Walnuts.

Dinner: 1/2 cup quinoa, 2 eggs, veggies….

Snack: Rye crackers, almond butter, lowfat cheese.

Exercise: Yoga, Dusk Walk.

Ugh, ugh, UGH…. NOT FUN. But, I’ll get used to it…. I’m motivated now. Time to get GORJ!

And, yeah, it’s hard, and PLAIN, and rigorous. But, I have 35 pounds to lose. When those pounds are GONZO, I’ll slowly incorporate more of everything into the diet.

Still thinking about poultry…. I think I need it in my diet — if not because the vegetarian version of this diet is RUTHLESS and because vegetarianism takes mayjah planning to do right. Sigh, will go to ORGANIC butcher for free-range poultry….

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