Conventional views always tell us to limit ourselves from bad things.... not to smoke too much, not to play too long, not to spend too much, not eat too much, not and not!!! I'm totally agree with that because those bad things could be joyful but too much isn't beneficial for our body. But what about too much of good things? Just before I wrote this post, I googled "too much of good... " and I couldn't find many articles related to what I'm going to talk about. So, no one have never thought about it or no one cares about it? There are many good things that we should be doing, like eat healthy, sleep well, exercise regularly etc. But have you thought about the consequence of doing too much of them? I can think many of them. Too much sleep makes you feel asleep and tired; too much exercise makes you feel sore and exhausted (and perhaps hormonal imbalances); too much kabocha (good for vitamine A) makes you turn orange (not you Maggie); too much dairy (good for calcium) makes you bloat; and finally yesterday I experimented too much veggies made my belly explode!!! Certainly, when we over-do, even though they are usually good for us, can hurt us too. Therefore, I think the key for a healthy life is not just to eat and exercise in a good way, but also, do it in MODERATION!!!
I've noticed (and you might too) I've been eating more and more, my portions have expanded so much that when I read other blogs I feel I'm a monster eating twice or three times more than others. Not that I'm worried about gaining weight (I haven't yet), but I've been feeling full and bloated all the time. So, I think it's a moment to re-assess my diet and make adjustment. So, guideline for the new Challenge:
First of all, I need to cut back on vegetables. I eat too much of it and too much fiber makes me bloat (as Gina pointed out yesterda).
Second, I need to incorporate more healthy fats so I don't get dry skin (I've noticed that when I eat more fats, my dry skin improved, so I'll continue on that).
Third, eat smaller portions, meaning less veggies and more protein and fat to keep the same cal content. Hopefully this will give me more energy and feel less asleep all day long (especially I'll begin to work next week)
Fourth, less snacks and desserts. No more big afternoon snacks and 3 courses desserts!!!
Any thoughts about my new challenge?
okay. You might wonder, where all this came from? Here's how the event developed yesterday
Breakfast was normal:
I've noticed (and you might too) I've been eating more and more, my portions have expanded so much that when I read other blogs I feel I'm a monster eating twice or three times more than others. Not that I'm worried about gaining weight (I haven't yet), but I've been feeling full and bloated all the time. So, I think it's a moment to re-assess my diet and make adjustment. So, guideline for the new Challenge:
First of all, I need to cut back on vegetables. I eat too much of it and too much fiber makes me bloat (as Gina pointed out yesterda).
Second, I need to incorporate more healthy fats so I don't get dry skin (I've noticed that when I eat more fats, my dry skin improved, so I'll continue on that).
Third, eat smaller portions, meaning less veggies and more protein and fat to keep the same cal content. Hopefully this will give me more energy and feel less asleep all day long (especially I'll begin to work next week)
Fourth, less snacks and desserts. No more big afternoon snacks and 3 courses desserts!!!
Any thoughts about my new challenge?
okay. You might wonder, where all this came from? Here's how the event developed yesterday
Breakfast was normal:
- 4 tbsp wheat cream
- 1/3 c. almond milk
- 1/4 c. pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp egg white
- Topping: Maple-raisin AB and chopped walnuts
Although wheat cream is creamy, it's not as creamy as oat bran and to be honest, it lacks flavor! Unsatisfied meal means more food to come. I had another bowl of cottage cheese with pumpkin and coffee 10 min later.
I did some baking after breakfast. As I didn't like wheat cream as breakfast grain, I thought I might do something different with it. Also I wanted to use the failed AB so I can make a new batch soon. So, I created this: Maple almond butter "cornbread".
Cornbread in quotes because I used cream of wheat instead of polenta, but the texture is just like the cornbread. It was sooooo good. Here's the recipe (100% creation of Coco ^_^)- 1/2 cup WW flour
- 1 cup cream of wheat
- 1/3 cup maple raisin Almond butter
- 1/3 cup agave nectar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp baking powder
I had a piece right away. ^_^ yummy~ Then I went to campus for some errands and to the manicure. Back home around 1pm, I didn't crave anything, so I went for veggies. A quick sauteed spinach with leftover balsamic glazed carrots.
A gigantic bowl of seaweed soup with tomatoes and egg.
And a small bowl of black/brown rice. Check out how big was the bowl for the soup
I got really really sleepy after the meal, so I took a nap. After the nap, I got snacky, really snacky!
2 pieces of cottage cheesecake
Half of grapefruit and chocolates while I watched TV
Ikea crackers and Maple AB cornbread + the last two pieces of the cheesecake
Microwaved kabocha (Maggie, this method is even faster and easier)
The my belly was about to EXPLODE!!! But somehow I managed to move my ass from the coach and went to the swim pool. I knew all my snacks were healthy and all, but TOO much was the problem. I spent an hour in the swim pool which was amazing!!!
Back home, I wasn't hungry for dinner, but I had more veggie (big mistake!). A warm salad with sauteed spinach, mushrooms, cucumber and green peppers with cold tomatoes. And two crackers.
Dessert: 2 cornbreads and white fungus drink.
My belly was over-expanded again!! I don't think it was because of too much food, but because of too much fiber in it.
I got so sleepy by 9.30pm (so early compared to my usual time to bed lately, around 11-12pm), I went to bed and was out in <5.
Question: What's your thoughts about too much of good things?
A gigantic bowl of seaweed soup with tomatoes and egg.
And a small bowl of black/brown rice. Check out how big was the bowl for the soup
I got really really sleepy after the meal, so I took a nap. After the nap, I got snacky, really snacky!2 pieces of cottage cheesecake
Half of grapefruit and chocolates while I watched TV
Ikea crackers and Maple AB cornbread + the last two pieces of the cheesecake
Microwaved kabocha (Maggie, this method is even faster and easier)
The my belly was about to EXPLODE!!! But somehow I managed to move my ass from the coach and went to the swim pool. I knew all my snacks were healthy and all, but TOO much was the problem. I spent an hour in the swim pool which was amazing!!!Back home, I wasn't hungry for dinner, but I had more veggie (big mistake!). A warm salad with sauteed spinach, mushrooms, cucumber and green peppers with cold tomatoes. And two crackers.
Dessert: 2 cornbreads and white fungus drink.
My belly was over-expanded again!! I don't think it was because of too much food, but because of too much fiber in it.I got so sleepy by 9.30pm (so early compared to my usual time to bed lately, around 11-12pm), I went to bed and was out in <5.
Question: What's your thoughts about too much of good things?
19 comments:
Interesting post Coco. I guess you could use more fats/protein in your diet. It will probably make you feel better. I also don't think you eat far more than other people. I generally eat more than what I blog about... but I don't always have a camera on me or can remember all the things I've eaten! But I agree, too many veggies is not good on the tummy.
Your cornbread looks fantastic... and I'm still loving the cheesecake. I need to make a new batch myself!
I absolutely agree with you. Too much of a good thing takes away from the goodness of it, in my opinion. It can lessen the value of it. I completely identify with what you are saying about the vegetables/fiber, in fact I made a point about that at the end of my post a few days ago. I also am a big lover of healthy fats. They truly do make a meal so much more satisfying. I haven't noticed dramatic changes in my skin, but the fats can only help, right?
All your food today looks DELICIOUS by the way. What a creative "corn bread"!
Enjoy your day.
Much love,
Rachel
Corn bread looks great! Awesome way to use the cream of wheat!
Too many veggies bothers my stomach, too. I can clear a room pretty fast if I eat too many at once! ;)
Yeah I totally agree with you! Too much of 1 thing even good is bad for you.
I want that cheesecake you're eating!
your cheesecake and cornbread look great; you are so creative, coco! always coming up with such cool recipes!
I completely agree. After I eat a big volume of food like that, I feel bloated and downright uncomfortable too. Although the food mught be healthy and low cal, if it is still going to make me feel uncomfortable, I try and stop reminding myself that it's bad. And as you said, stopping before you reach the exploding point gives you the option to add in healthy fats...that means more healthy snacks/desserts...yay for tastebuds!
love the insight coco. while all the foods you are eating are super duper good for you, i can see where you can go off the deep end in the quantity department.
i agree with the statement "everything in moderation".. it is a good way to live every aspect of life. too much and you will be overloaded and too little you may feel deprived and be inclined to binge on whatever the matter is at hand, whether it be food, exercise, drinking, shopping, etc.
i like your challenge, i think if you are mindful of what your goals are then you will do great with it! a little more protein and healthy fats will be good for ya.. plus they take more calories to digest than carbs do so it will do your body a favor by upping them.
OH and i totally bookmarked this recipe! i want to make it, but i don't know where to find maple almond butter. do you think i could add maple extract to regular AB?
have a great day!! xo
This is exactly the kind of challenge I need. I have the EXACT same problems that you do!
I don't know if you've ever studied the 8 limbs of yoga, but the yamas and niyamas would definitely help you with this challenge. One of the Yamas is called Bramacharya. It means moderation. One of the niyamas is about cleanliness and moderation in diet. Google them! There's so much information. Yogis are supposed to live by the 10 principles. I was actually thinking of doing a post on them at some point. We talked about them in my last yoga training.
Janetha- I love adding about a 1/4 or so of pure maple syrup and a few shakes of cinnamon to a jar of almond butter and stirring it up! I've made homemade before as well, but if you have access to a Trader Joe's it ends up being cheaper to just buy it :o) Enjoy!!
too much of a good thing can def be a bad thing...i know when i eat too many veggies it totally gets to me..two carrots fill me up!
but i lurvvvve the cornbread. sounds like heaven!!!
I think your challenge is a good one. You should strive to feel well always and keep an open mind about changing things up to accomplish this. :-) The key is adaptability.
The cornbread looks amazing! I would love some!
I think too much of a good thing is just that: too much. Moderation is great for everything. :-) Plus it allows one to appreciate things on a much higher level :-)
Have a wonderful evening!
I think your challenge is a good idea. Balance is the key to a good diet. And it's definitely healthy to focus on moderation - even of good things.
Good luck!
Coco, I think you eat very well and have a diverse diet, but I agree with healthy ambition that you could probably use more protein in your diet- that keeps you fuller for longer, maybe more beans and whole grains?
I love all of your ideas- great cornbread!
I compleeetly agree! Alot of times I think I over do it all and try to get evertyhing in in my life or week or day and then by the weekend I'm SO exhausted that I can't even see my friends..
moderation is DEFINITELY a good solution :)
Yep I definitely know what you mean about too much of a good thing. Your challenge sounds great to me! I've definitely had some major stomach issues after eating too many veggies at once... and too much squash! I WISH I were able to just eat piles of it and feel fine but I always go overboard and it's painful!
That cornbread looks great! I'll have to remember to give it a try :)
I often have to control myself when it comes to vegetables too--I don't get bloated, but sometimes I think eating so many veggies leaves less room for other food groups, like protein. Sounds like a great challenge!
i really relate to this! i can eat portions after portions of veg, and then feel completely bloated and yucky. i think that in my head, i'm thinking, "veg is all good - i can eat as much as i want!" even though it's not doing any favours to my poor body to overeat anything.
that cornbread looks SO GOOD! i've never tried cream of wheat - don't know exactly what it is.
you, lovely Coco, are a genuis. This is exactly what I need, and something that I have been aware of, and trying to work on for a long time. BUT, it is so much easier if you know other people doing the same thing as well :)
Healthy food is great, but as Maggie mentioned in her comment, MODERATION is the best principle in life, and in yoga, for sure. You need room in your belly to digest, and I think I will join you on this challenge for sure. In macrobiotics, this is where chewing really well comes in, because the longer you chew, the easier it is to digest, and the more time your belly has to realize it's full. Whew. Sorry for the long comment, but your post was just perfect! :)
yeaa i always OD on veggies and get horrible stomachaches and gurgles. i'm trying to incorporate more healthy fats in too. i eat a whole small avocado a day :]
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