Saturday, March 31, 2012

Happier and Healthier


The person you see in the first photo is very unhealthy and unhappy with her body image on all levels. That's me in the Spring of 2011.


Spring 2011

Fast forward a year to the second photo. After I lost more than forty pounds!

Spring 2012

I was about to outgrow size 12 pants in the first photo. In the second photo, I'm comfortably wearing size 4 pants. 

In 2010, I averaged two migraines per week. I rarely have a headache now, and the inflammation of joints that caused pain with every movement is gone. A backache that kept me from enjoying working in my flower gardens is gone. I no longer take medications of any kind. My lab test results are now perfect. 

Everyone who sees me for the first time in a few months is amazed at my transformation. Of course, the first question is, "How did you lose so much weight so fast?" My answer is always, "Read the book "Eat To Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman" to learn what to eat and why.
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I have continued maintaining my weight since 2011.


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While researching the world's healthiest foods, I found many of them in what I have for breakfast every morning. This is a hot cereal breakfast that keeps me from thinking about food until late afternoon. I'm sharing the recipe along with my story in hopes that I can inspire you to be a healthier, happier, more energetic person.



Susan's Power Porridge Breakfast

1 cup of hulled, organic barley (soak overnight and cook for one hour). Use filtered water.

1/4 cup of organic farro (cook for 40 minutes)

1/4 cup of brown organic lentils (add to the farro and cook for another twenty minutes)

1/4 cup of old-fashioned organic rolled oats (cook for about 10 minutes.)

2 Tablespoons brown flax seeds (I grind them in a coffee grinder) Stir as soon as you add these ground seeds.

2 Tablespoons sunflower seeds and sesame seeds

2 Tablespoon of raw organic pepitas (no shell pumpkin seeds)

2 Tablespoons natural raw walnuts

2 Tablespoons raw pecans

1 tablespoon of turmeric

1 tablespoon of Red Star Nutritional Yeast (Not brewer's yeast.) It supplies B vitamins.

Add cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, or ground cloves to taste.

4 Large dates (pits removed) cut in half, then diced

1 sliced banana and 1/4 cup of blueberries or any fresh fruits you like.

Cooking instructions: Cook the barley in a separate pot uncovered. Add as much cooked barley as you want to the cooked farro, lentils, and oatmeal. The other items are added as desired until warmed through. Put in a bowl and add the fruit. You can save any extra to warm up for another breakfast.

 (You may find these items on Amazon.com or BobsRedMill.com if unavailable in your area.)


Packed with high nutrition, this breakfast will help you feel satisfied well into the afternoon.

It's been more than twelve years since I began this journey. I haven't had so much as a cold since I started eating this breakfast, followed by a sizeable vegetable-loaded salad late in the day. I drink water and eat fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables daily.

I still share a dessert with Mr. Mickey occasionally and have a glass of wine with food. But, 90% of the time, I eat whole-natural foods that have not been processed in any way other than perhaps being steamed. So, mostly, I just wash, chop, and enjoy. 

Countless people have asked me, "How do you continue to keep the weight off?" This is my secret!

50 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow sounds great! Can you make a big batch and reheat all week long? I don't have alot of time in the morning...

Susan said...

I leave it simmering while I am doing other things in the kitchen but you can make it up in advance. It's even good at room temp.

Peacock Tres Chic said...

That's so wonderful Susan!!!!
I'm not sure I can get some of those things in this area, but there's a tiny organic foods store downtown I can check out.
Thanks for sharing =) I'm still looking to drop the last 10 baby pounds.

Susan said...

I found all of these items at local grocery stores. Fresh Market, Earth Fare and any good grocery store should have all of these ingredients. Good luck!

Anita said...

Congrats to you Susan!! There is nothing better than getting our minds and bodies healthy. Makes so many aspects of our lives so much better. You also look younger in the second photo. May I also add you are such a beautiful lady, inside and out.

Regina Rae said...

Thank you so much. I too, desire to lose weight, and feel better. I'm about to order the book, "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. We thank you Susan, your triumph is an inspiration, and is contagious ;-)

Susan said...

Good for you Regina! Please share your success story. I'll be cheering for you!

Lindalw said...

I think you look great in both photos!

Susan said...

Thanks, you are sweet to say that.

Beetique said...

I think you do too but I'm glad you're feeling better. I am struggling to lose some weight and think I'll look for that book too.

Susan said...

I wish you the best Beetique!

Beetique said...

I did buy the book. In my area it is hard to find all the ingredients. I may have to drive 50 miles to get some of these things but I'll make out my list. :)

Sandra said...

Amazon.com has these items.

Susan said...

Thank you Sandra!

Sandra said...

I had it today and all I can say is YUMMMMM!!!! Also very filling.

Jan said...

I read your post last week and began creating my own breakfast porridge. I did not have all of the ingredients on hand so I simply increased the amount of the grains I did have. I also added a tablespoon of coconut oil and a sprinkle of cinnamon! Very yummy......very filling!

Jan said...

Last week I read your blog about losing weight and was grateful for the inspiration. I did not have all the ingredients for this wonderful breakfast so I used what I had, increasing the grains that I did have. I also added a tablespoon of coconut oil and a sprinkle of cinnamon. .....yummy and very filling! Now all I have to do is make my salad-in-a-jar and I am good to go! Thanks for the inspiration and the recipe!

Helene Bludman said...

You are such an inspiration. I am making my shopping list right now. Thank you so much for sharing.

Christie said...

Hi, Susan! This certainly sounds wonderful, although this size will probably serve me for 3 days!

I'd like to ask if there's a difference health-wise or in terms of helping to lose weight between simmering the ingredients or mixing most of them and putting in the fridge overnight. I prefer to add nuts and grind and add flax seed just before eating though.
Thanks,
Christie.

Susan said...

It's perfectly OK to customize the recipe to fit your needs and your own taste preferences. I also like to add millet. As I discover more grains and seeds that I like, I add those to the mix also. Enjoy!

Unknown said...

Susan, how do you get your protein in this food lifestyle (not saying diet LOL)

Jane

Susan said...

There are many ways to get protein without eating any animal products. Whole grains are a great source of protein, but the queen of whole grains when it comes to protein content is quinoa. All beans, lentils, and peas are an excellent vegetarian and vegan source of protein. Tofu and other soy products as well as nuts, seeds and nut butters have lots of protein. Tempeh is one of my favorite things to brown with onion and mushrooms to toss with my salads.

Cathy said...

It must be working because you look absolutely marvelous. Great post and great inspiration!

Claudia Schmidt said...

I recently started Dr. Furhman's Eat to Live program as well, and love it! This breakfast looks delicious, I've been making steel cut oats with fresh fruit but will try this as well.

Claudia Schmidt said...

I recently started Dr. Furhman's Eat to Live program as well, and love it! This breakfast looks delicious, I've been making steel cut oats with fresh fruit but will try this as well.

Angie said...

Do you happen to know what the calorie count for this would be? Thanks!

Susan said...

I'm sorry, but I don't know the calorie count. I never worry about calories or anything like carbs, etc. I just eat until I am comfortably full and eat mostly fresh fruits, veggies, grains, seeds, and nuts.

anniw said...

PLEASE don't reheat ANYTHING in a microwave, it changes the nutritional structure of food to something the body cannot recognise or use. I can't bear to think of you making this great-sounding porridge, only to blast it in a microwave. Read the research, and throw your microwave in the trash!

squarefeet said...

Dear Susan,

I found your blog about a year ago and you have been an inspiration to me. Thank you.

I wondered if you ever made the porridge in a slow cooker. I'm thinking about starting it at night for me to enjoy in the morning before work. What do you think?

Maria

Susan said...

I've never tried making the porridge in a slow cooker but it might turn out well.

Unknown said...

Susan you are truly an inspiration. I am going to succeed at losing the weight this go round. Thank you and I hope to meet you someday!

nancyd said...

Amazon has everything

Heidi said...

Thank you for sharing your journey. I'm curious...did you start with Dr. Fuhrman's 6-week plan? How strictly did you follow what he outlines during the time you were losing weight? Is the porridge you eat now something you ate while losing weight or only after you did lose it? (I have 50 lbs to lose and feeling overwhelmed.)

Susan said...

Heidi, I did read Dr.Fuhrman's plan, but I have followed it loosely for the past five years. It is easy for me to limit my food intake to only fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds because those items satisfy me. I am not a big fan of bread, dairy, sugar, salt or fried foods and certainly not steak so I have never felt that I am missing anything by mostly eliminating those things from my diet. I created the porridge near the beginning of my journey to better health and it continues to be one of my favorite meals. It can always be different by using seasonal fruits and spices. Think of this as a journey to good health rather than just the numbers on a scale. As you start to feel better you will feel like doing more with your increased energy. If you lose weight that is a nice bonus. I wish you good health and happiness! Susan

Heidi said...

Thank you for your quick reply. I love dairy, in the form of just plain Greek yogurt (Fage) with berries (usually have to use frozen ones this time of year). Wanting to lose the weight is mostly to feel better because anyone lugging around that much extra weight cannot feel good! Emotionally or physically. Thank you for your encouraging words!

Robbiegirl said...

I totally agree with you. We do not own a microwave.

Robbiegirl said...

Susan, would you be able to comment on what other grains you have added to your porridge possibilities? I'm finally making my list.

Lisa said...

Do you add the yeast during or after cooking?

Susan said...

I slowly add the yeast and the spices near the end of the cooking.

Anonymous said...

Susan... Was just rereading this (can't wait to try it!)... You said it keeps you full most of the day and then you have a big salad later in the afternoon. Do you find that you eat 2 meals a day then? 3?

Thanks!

Southern Boho said...

Hi! I just found ya! Love the blog! I am inspired by your success. I lost 73 pounds when I turned 40 and it changed my life. I felt much like you stated, I took control of my life. However, I've remarried, and am very happy and over the course of 8 years of marital bliss, plus menapause (hey, thanks), I have managed to allow 40 of those pounds to creep back. I'm battling it daily but the results are not coming at 52 like they were at 40. Plus, I'm not as obsessed about it now as I was then. Keep up the great work! I'm following along!

Anonymous said...

Love this recipe can't wait to try it!

Unknown said...

Great post Susan.

Sharon said...

Hi, Susan.
I have been reading your blog for a while now
and so want to make this journey to a healthier me.
You are such an inspiration! Could you possibly give
me any idea what you ate while on Dr. Fuhrman's plan?
Did you stick to his 6 week plan or did you do something
else? I've read his book and tried some of his recipes.
I love flavorful food and variety helps but I'm feeling a
little stuck. Any ideas you have would be so very
appreciated!

Susan said...

Hi Sharon,

I changed my way of eating right away and for good after I read the book. I don't follow any plan now, nor did I in the beginning. I don't use recipes but I do eat a lot of fresh organic produce presented in its most natural state with an occasional small piece of wild caught fish. Because of my intolerance to so many processed foods, it is easy for me to stay on track. I think of those fake foods as poison, because for me they are. I wish you good health!

Marie said...

Hi Susan I tried making your Power Porridge this morning. It tasted great but it didn't look like yours did in the photo. Maybe I added too much almond milk but yours looks a lot better and less liquidy....in any case I have all the ingredients now! 😄

Susan said...

Marie, when mine is not thick enough, I add some more rolled oats and cook just a few more minutes to reduce the liquid.

Oma Smith said...

I am ancioud to try the breakfast recipe, but I do nothnave time to cook it in the morning. Can I make 5-7 days worth and keep it in the fridge to heat up in the morning? Not in microwave!

Susan said...

You can certainly make a big batch for the week on Monday. I just add more almond milk each day and warm it in a saucepan.

Summer H. said...

Hi Susan! I made my first batch of power porridge for breakfast this morning. Loved it! I followed your recipe to a T except for pecans - realized I was out after I started - so I just added a few more walnuts. I topped my porridge with fresh peaches and berries and it was yummy and satisfying. I already had some of the ingredients on hand but found the rest at Vitacost.com. They had every single ingredient in stock at a great price! Even with free shipping I received my order in two days, and I love that they included a zip lock bag with each bag of grains, lentils, etc. that didn't come in its own reclosable package. So thoughtful :-)