Buckwheat and Super Seed Muesli

What are you up to this weekend?

(This post may contain affiliate links)

Jump to Recipe

We're going to see the Brian Wilson movie, with a picnic after (our first of the season)

Also, we'll be watching our favorite middle-schoolers perform at their dance recital, finding something delicious to grill, and going for walks with the puppies

All of those things certainly will be fun, although the thing I'm looking forward to the most?  A pool date with my husband.  I invited him to join me in my new favorite pastime(!)

water walking

For those who may have missed the last couple of posts, this past week has been devoted to a series about my evolution with healthy eating and weight loss over the past couple of decades (Part I)

Part II focused on some of the strange thoughts and obsessions about food that can creep into our minds, if we're not careful, when following some of the popular “diet” plans out there, as well as how I re-found my center when they happened to me

In this last of the series, the focus?  What's working for me

today

If you're a follower of The Veggies, you'll know a couple of months ago; I found myself being carted off to the ER by my sweet husband.  The diagnosis?  A kidney stone.  I treated it as a wake-up call, hoping to be proactive so that it wouldn't happen

again

Instinctively knowing something was off, but not how to fix it, I hired a food coach who specializes in functional medicine, nutrition, as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy.  She's been incredible.  No gimmicks, all clean eating, and a few supplements to give me a little boost, just where I needed it

She's helped me fix the issues with my gut.  In fact, during the initial consultation, she said: “It isn't widely talked about, but the minute I saw you'd experienced a kidney stone (in combination with some of your other symptoms), I knew something was off with your microflora.”

She was right.   Who knew?

Gone are sugar cravings, sluggish mornings, energy slumps in the afternoon, and sugar cravings all evening long: no more breakouts, bloated stomach, mental fog, or headaches.  My tummy woes are nearly non-existent.

Not to mention, my mood has improved dramatically.

I've had so many people ask me about some of the supplements I'm taking, and why

Admittedly, I hesitated a bit when it's come to posting the list.  (Please remember that what's worked for me, may not work for you, and always consult your physician before starting a new regimen)

A potent multivitamin – DFH Metabolic Synergy

B-Complex – to increase my energy levels

5-HTP (the feel-good neurotransmitter) – helps boost my mood, as well as bringing about a deeper level of sleep

Candita control – gets rid of yeast overgrowth, which was causing bloating and sugar cravings(!)

A shot every morning of chlorophyll – it's incredibly alkalizing for the body

Food?  What does a typical day look like for me?

In the No category are gluten, dairy, sugar (and its substitutes), fruit juice, and corn.  At each meal, I fill my plate mostly with veggies, some fat (avocado, raw nuts or seeds) and some protein

Protein – I find myself eating an awful lot of chicken and fish (those not on the list for high levels of toxins).  A couple of times a week, I'll have ground bison or beef.  In the fridge, a large variety of mixed veggies at the ready, mostly they've been roasted or stir-fried.

Smoothies – My goodness, I've also begun (or simply continued) a sordid love affair with the smoothie

Oh, and never forget to make your meal as beautiful as possible  

“Beauty doesn't come from eating ugly food”   ~ Dana James

Getting going wasn't so magnificently difficult that it was impossible, instead, one of those purposeful hards, the kind where it's pretty easy to press forward because you're on a mission.

Here's one of the things no one tell you about cleaning up your diet.  It's not really about the food; it's about the clarity, the realization that food affects you on a very, very cellular level.  The understanding of just how good you can feel, how good you were meant to feel

It's about learning you're stronger than a craving, that you can make better decisions than you think, that it doesn't have to be this hard to tap into the energy and willpower you already have.

Admittedly, I eat this way 90-95% of the time and am slowly learning my balance.  There have been days of over-indulgence at a treat meal that leave me bloated and lethargic the next morning, a reminder to stay vigilant.  I've also learned I'm able to tolerate some foods more than others

(for me, sugar is pretty non-negotiable, it leaves me in a mental fog like nothing else)

Lastly, a tough-love quote from Whole30 that always makes me smile.  Whatever path you're walking on your quest for better health

“Don't you dare tell us this is hard. Giving up heroin is hard.  Beating cancer is hard.  Drinking your coffee black.  Is.  Not.  Hard.  It's only thirty days, and it's for the most important cause on earth, the only physical body you will ever have in this lifetime”   ~ Dallas & Melissa Hartwig

As this series draws to a close, I'd like to take a moment to

Thank you so very much for reading

I wish I said it more often how truly grateful I am for those of you who take a few minutes out of your day or week, to visit this humble online space

Have the most wonderful (and delicious!) weekend

A great breakfast idea that we've been enjoying this week

This Super Seed Muesli is perfect for anyone with sensitivities (or allergies) to nuts, as the entire recipe is made up of seeds only. (Buckwheat is technically a seed, not a grain)

My favorite way to enjoy it is after it's soaked overnight, though you can soak this muesli for at least 20 minutes and still enjoy it just as well.  You want to give the chia seeds time to absorb the liquid, and the buckwheat to be tender.  Top with fresh fruit or dried fruit (here we used cherries), shredded coconut, or anything else your heart desires

A few other ideas

Sprinkle over fruit and your favorite yogurt, for a little added crunch  (still soak it beforehand)

Add a few tablespoons to your favorite breakfast cereal to boost the overall levels of healthy fats

Other toppings?  Fresh or dried fruit, shredded coconut, goji berries, cacao nibs, and additional nuts and seeds

Add superfood powders ex:  maca, lacuna, goji berry, spiralina, or acai powder

 Enjoy!

xoxo

ps:  You can read more about my healthy eating journey in Part I  |  Part II  of this series

— — —

~ Adapted from Food Coach NYC