Le Regime A phrase my friend at
http://www.marketerblog.net/ and I started using to refer to this new way of eating and being. There were rules to be followed (we'll get into those) and great meals to ponder. Yes, but
le regime is not about cooking alone. To lose weight, revive that energy store and generally keep it all together, getting your body moving is essential. This is not an exercise blog (if you know me, you know better!), so I won't spend too much time on technique and abundance because I'm no expert, but I think it's important to acknowledge that the typical American family does not get the activity that it needs to stay healthy and fit. When I was at my heaviest, I wasn't doing much of anything! Something had to change and doing a little something here and there was certainly better than doing nothing at all.
Two summers ago I started taking yoga classes. I've since read that yoga is not ideal for those wanting to lose weight because the calorie burn isn't as great as other activities. Whatever. I don't mean that too flippantly, but as someone who grew up dancing (ballet, tap, modern, jazz). I thought that the workout I got during a yoga session was terrific. I think it's so important to find something you enjoy, something that won't hurt your body, and something that you can commit to do and work at to improve. I was very diligent with my 45 minute lunchtime yoga classes - 3-5 times a week. Plus, I looked for more opportunities to build in activity...a bike ride or a walk to the farmer's market on the weekend, for example. Just adding in more everyday activity made a huge difference. I haven't been able to keep up the schedule to do yoga as often, but I still try to get a couple sessions a week in and I walk every weekday morning for an hour. A Saturday morning Irish step-dancing class was a nice addition to
le regime last spring. Try something new! It'll do your heard and head a world of good.
What are some of the other aspects of
Le Regime? Most of them are fairly obvious...water (spring and bubbling) and plenty of it, but not over board - I start everyday with a tall glass of Perrier; real foods - do not eat anything with any ingredient that you couldn't identify on its own (if you don't read labels yet, it's time to start!); whole foods - no "altered" food (skim milk, low-fat cheese, etc.). Now, all that said, your experience and needs may be different, so adjust accordingly. The Fat Fallacy by Dr. Will Clower, was a great read for me that first summer. It helped reprogram my thinking...my thinking about what we eat and drink. The chapter on Aspartame alone is alarming.
How do you do it? What activities do you enjoy that help keep you healthy and happy? Are you active alone or with others? What's in your
regime?
OK, enough of the lecture. Now that you're ready to walk (!) to the market to pick up some ingredients for a weekend treat, here's my gumbo recipe for you.
Laissez les bonne temps (and your body) roulez!Kelli’s Gumbo (adapted from various sources and experience)
Note: This is a wonderful Christmas Eve dish or even better, Mardi Gras!
1/2 cup bacon drippings
1/2 cup flour
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 large yellow onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 pound okra, sliced (frozen is OK when fresh is not available)
1 qt (plus more if needed) chicken stock
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
15 oz canned chopped tomatoes undrained
1 teaspoon salt
2 bay leaves
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp rosemary
Lemon juice to taste
1 lb andouille sausage, cooked/sliced (grilled is great!)
1 cup cooked chicken, chopped (again, grilled chicked tastes great!)
1lb crab
Heat bacon drippings over medium heat, add flour slowly and stir constantly until roux is a chocolate-like brown. This takes a long time. Add celery, onions, garlic, parsley and cook 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Fry okra in a little oil until slightly browned (note: this is only for fresh okra. If using frozen, put it in, thawed, at the very end otherwise is disappears!). Add to first mixture and stir well for a few minutes. Add chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, tomatoes, salt, andouille sausage, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary. Simmer 2 1/2 hours. Add chicken, and simmer 30 minutes more. Add lemon juice, crab and thawed okra and stir until heated through.
Serve in bowls over hot rice. Pass the Tabasco and file gumbo!
Freezes well.
Serves 10 very hungry people