Vegan Junk Food Exists

High school tennis season has been in full swing since August first.  It will end next week.  I'm so glad.  I enjoy watching the tennis matches and supporting my child but it wreaks havoc on healthy eating.

In rural America, we can count on a few things: dirt roads, volunteer fire departments, and a Subway and Sonic in every town.  For those of us eating WFPB and traveling, this is a challenge.  Subway sandwiches do not travel well although I enjoy ordering a veggie sandwich just how I like it.  That leaves Sonic and tater tots.  I find Sonic the least healthy option when traveling and forced to eat fast food.  I have eaten more tater tots the last 8 weeks than I have eaten in my life and the little sponges of grease are showing on the scale.

Up six pounds since July.  Not all the fault of tots as there have been a few chips in the mix.  This weight gain is now halted and I will continue going down once again.  Best to nip it in the bud before six turns into 10.  I'm not willing to go there.

Instant Pot is coming in handy once or twice per week when we are home for the evening meal.  I've created a vegetable soup that we have had once a week now for about four weeks.  I've also made the vegan stew from Simple Daily Recipes.  of course I tweak it a bit but it is hearty and delicious.  I've yet to cook beans, mainly because I can't believe I don't have to soak them first.  I will try one day though.

I still feel pretty good overall, however, I did have a few days last week where I got minimal sleep due to chores (uniform has to be washed when we get home each night around 10p.m.)  and homework assistance.  Sleep makes such a huge difference in the pain level of this sufferer of FM.

I will join a challenge on October first to cut out all process food and oil and just eat whole plant based. I need such a challenge.  It may be difficult or it may not but I am committed to doing it. Curses Halloween candy.

First Instant Pot Trial

Although I've had my I- pot for a week now, I've just made my first meal in it. The recipe for this vegan, no oil stew was found on Simple Daily Recipes.  I didn't use the faux meat though as I prefer my food not to look like meat.  I tweaked other things to my tastes and adjusted spices including omitting salt. The family loved it. The liquid smoke gave it depth and authenticity as a stew. I felt that the broth was delicious although somewhat thin for a stew. I will play with this in the future to try to achieve thicker consistency.  Delicious.

It has taken me a week to start using this amazing appliance due to hurting my wrist last Friday. I currently do not have use of my left arm below the elbow.  No definitive answers from the ER on Saturday and with very little improvement with pain or mobility, I plan to see a doctor again tomorrow. Treating the pain is one thing, but I really want to know what is causing the pain and address that.

The steroids definitely mess with body weight and I'm thankful that the pharmacist mentioned that or I'd be freaking out right now. The high dose is making my heart beat wildly so I will not take anymore. The force of it was so strong that I could see my hand on my chest go up and down to the rhythm.  Scary stuff.

I am hoping tomorrow brings some answers regarding my injury and subsiding side effects from Prednisone.  I'm a terrible couch potato and just want to get back on track with all I need to do.