I read this book called "Skinny Bitch" which is a self-proclaimed "no-nonsense tough love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous." The book really is a straight-shooting guide. The f-word is used liberally and we, the readers, are often referred to as assholes. But you know what? They got through to me. When I started reading the book I thought I had a pretty good diet and by the end of it I was convinced I was poisoning myself every day. I know my reaction was probably a bit extreme but at least it has given me the resolve to make some changes in my diet and see if I notice any difference. I decided to make the following changes for the next 30 days:
- No coffee, not even decaf.
- No sodas.
- No aspertame, Equal, Splenda.
- No meat, fish or chicken.
- No refined flour.
- Fruit and only fruit for breakfast every day.
The skinny bitches promise that I'll notice positive changes in my energy level, my attitude, my looks in just 30 days. So we'll see how this goes. Stay tuned.
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That's for yourself or the whole family? Where would your (and your kids') sources of protein?
Posted by Sin-Yaw Wang on November 27, 2007 at 01:23 PM CST #
this is just for me. i'm the early adopter, will drag the family into this later it it proves worthwhile.
apparently there's protein in just about everything we eat. and especially if i eat nuts and beans there's nothing to worry about. so they say anyway... ;)
Posted by melanie gao on November 27, 2007 at 01:37 PM CST #
Sounds interesting, I'll be curious to hear how your experiment goes. I was vegetarian for a dozen years, but I found it too hard to maintain in China. Yes, you can get sufficient protein from beans, tofu, nuts, etc., but it takes diligence to do it right. I found I simply could not get enough calories from my veggie diet there, so I went back to being a carnivore and I quickly found I had more energy. Plus I finally got to enjoy Quan Ju De Roast Duck! :)
Posted by John Lilly on November 27, 2007 at 02:09 PM CST #
You're kidding me! You really went back to being a carnivore? I didn't realize that. Didn't you have a problem with the idea of eating flesh again...? I've been doing some reading lately (other than the Skinny Bitch) and all of it points towards the fact that modern-day slaughter houses are just cruel and inhumane... I know too much, I don't know if I'll ever be able to eat meat again. That's why I'm curious to know how you felt when you went back to eating meat.
I'm not worried about getting enough calories. I am watching my energy level though to see how that goes.
Posted by melanie gao on November 27, 2007 at 02:20 PM CST #
I suggest you don't exclude chicken and fish. Also have a glass of milk for breakfast. The healthiest population on the planet - rural japanese, chinese and Greeks eat a lot of fish! :-)
Posted by Madhan Kumar on November 27, 2007 at 04:20 PM CST #
Well just don't eat meat from modern-day slaughterhouse. People have been eating meat for way more than modern-day slaughterhouses existed (last 40 years or so). I have been able to completely remove myself from grocery stores and thats because I live in the most bountiful state in the US. I don't take anything in that forbidden list of yours except for meat and fish which I don't think I can ever give up and I am not in the least bit convinced they are harmful for me. But I do eat ethically :) Oh and really good coffee from small farms and brewed at home is awesome too :)
Posted by Shubho on November 27, 2007 at 05:02 PM CST #
Wow! Curious to hear your findings at the end of the 30 day period. I really love my coffee -- it's one of my few indulgences. As for meat, well, I'm a omnivore -- tho' I do eat a lot of nuts, tofu, dairy, beans, etc.
Posted by Skrocki on November 27, 2007 at 11:18 PM CST #
See you in a month then. Given my weight problem, I make sure not to hang out with hungry people. Nothing personal, I'm just scared...
Posted by Amiram on November 28, 2007 at 07:09 PM CST #
After reading the restrictions I'm sure I know why they call it "Skinny Bitches"....because that is what I would become if I even thought about doing what you are doing! Yup, a bitch....maybe skinny, maybe not...but certainly the Big old B.
Good luck, I'll look forward to your report out....(geez, project mgmt speak, so sorry!)
Posted by Barb on November 30, 2007 at 02:57 AM CST #
Barb, I'll "report out" in a blog entry soon. :)
Shubho, I'm going to try to find the foods you mention here in Beijing. I don't know much about the organic shops around here, and how much I can trust their organic labels. For now abstinence is the only truly safe route.
Madhan I do miss my milk in the mornings! But there is a lot of research that says people don't need milk once they're out of childhood. I have to do more reading about this. And yes, I suspect that after 30 days fish will come back into my diet.
No worries, Amiram, when I gave up meat I also gave up cannibalism. ;)
Posted by melanie gao on November 30, 2007 at 09:12 AM CST #