Diet....

Here we go again... the sermon on diet.
We are what we eat and if we are eating poison... well, we are being poisoned. Seems like a no brainer, right? Except we still do it, me included. Eating foods we are not meant to eat, poisons our body and creates inflammation, the basis of almost all disease. What else does it create? Weight gain! Grrrr.... and hormone imbalances too.
I decided to go vegan for 2 weeks (I can do about anything for 2 weeks). Keep in mind I was raised on a big cattle ranch, so I like cow. I also remember implanting Ralgro in cattle for growth 50 years ago and it's still done today, but I'll neither digress nor reminisce. 
After 2 weeks of vegan (secret weapon: veggie chili) It felt good and I noticed some weight loss, so I decided to continue this and add a splurge day once per week. As of today it has been 5 weeks plus one day. Weight loss about 4 pounds, cool! The best part is I don't even desire bad stuff. So what is vegan... lol, no meat (obviously), no dairy (including cheese), no bread  (none). I've been doing just veggies, nuts, fruits. I still have 3 boxes of Prolon sitting at home calling my name and I will incorporate this as well.  What have my splurge days been? Surprisingly, a spicy salmon roll and a California roll (both) twice now and I didn't even want cow. 
My 3 go to's have been: blueberry smoothie, potatoes fried in olive oil and veggie chili. I'll post the smoothie and chili recipe.

Smoothie
1.5-2 cups baby organic spinach
1 banana
Frozen organic blueberries (Costco)  1-1.5 cups to taste
Filtered water (no bottled) to desired consistency

​Blend using a Nutribullet or vitamix
(If your bananas are changing color peel them and freeze them, then adjust the water amount)

Vegetarian Chili
8 c Kidney beans cooked or 4 cans (rinsed)
8 c Black beans cooked or 4 cans (rinsed)
3 Large red/orange bell peppers chopped
2 large onions chopped
2 jalapeños chopped (or more to your taste)
1 soup (Pacific foods roasted tomato/red pepper soup)
4 cans Mexican style stewed tomatoes
1 cup red wine (deep bodied) adjust to your taste

Chili powder (lots)
Black Pepper (to taste)
Red pepper flakes (to taste)

In a stockpot saute onions and red/orange bell peppers with the spices in small amount of olive oil. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer until it tastes good! If you need a little cheat then use Costco beef base (very salty though)