March 19, 2011
Well, I've lost five pounds in two days. I'm sure it's mostly from the shock to my system, of such drastic changes in WHAT I'm eating. Not in HOW MUCH, because I'm literally stuffing myself. I'm not allowed to go hungry, and until my body adjusts, I'm digging in -- to what few things I can have, that is.
It's a good thing I like salad. It's a great thing I can cook pretty well. It's a terrific thing that I'm not big into sauces and gravies, ketchup or other condiments, because those are no-no's for me right now. It's a fabulous thing I can be adventurous and try new "spins" on classic dishes. And it's an amazingly wonderful thing that I am embracing the challenge of how to combine such limited ingredients for full flavor and versatility.
I'm not bragging here, I'm just claiming all the resources at hand and trying to make the best of them.
For example, for St. Patrick's Day, coincidentally the first day of the 30-day pruning diet, this Irish lass wanted to sample some Corned Beef and Cabbage. So I bought a pack of corned beef, and a head of cabbage. After cutting up the cabbage and chopping some red onion, I threw the veggies in the crock pot with the corned beef. Remembering the NO SPICES rule, I just tossed the spice packet that came with the meat. I had to leave out the carrots and potatoes too (what, an Irish recipe with no potatoes?). But I did splash in some red wine vinegar and a shake or two of pepper. I knew the corned beef had enough salt of its own, so didn't add any more of that. I tossed some fresh green beans in at the last to add some crunchy texture.
With a two-pound piece of beef and half a head of cabbage, this was enough for six servings. I admit, it was pretty tasty, but maybe next time I'll add some cauliflower to replace the potatoes.
Yesterday for lunch I had a modified tuna salad (drained tuna, chopped red onion, chopped fresh peaches, a sprinkle of salt, and a splash of red wine vinegar) served on lettuce leaves. Dinner was tilapia, simply done with salt, pepper and lemon juice, and a side of coleslaw (cabbage, peaches, red onion, and red wine vinegar).
Today I got to savor some St. Pat's leftovers. Cooking skills or not, leftovers are SO much easier!
If you hurt your brother because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died! Do not let what you regard as good get a bad name. For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives. And when someone serves Christ in this way, he pleases God and is approved by others.
So then, we must always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another. Do not, because of food, destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin. Romans 14:15-20
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