The Denim Diaries by Kami Gray

I EAT AT LEAST FIVE MEALS A WEEK away from home. Fast food aside, there is always something on a restaurant menu I can eat. I’ve become very skilled at reading menus and determining the best option. The problem is, I have this annoying habit of doing it for other people I’m dining with. I just get so excited about eating well. My kids used to have no idea how to peruse a menu because I always did it for them. I didn’t order for them. I’d make suggestions, and they came to trust that I pretty much got it right every time. Plus, they knew if they put up too much of a fuss, they would have to endure a long, drawn-out lecture regarding choices and habits, and no kid wants that.

Before I break it down for you, I want to teach you a skill I use to maintain my good habits. I call it FPV, which sounds like an acronym for a newly discovered sexually transmitted disease, but it’s short for Food Planning and Visualization, a helpful tool to use on your journey to fatlessness (yes, I have spellchecker). Now that so many restaurants have their menus online, FPV has become even easier. Think I’m off my rocker? I don’t have a rocker just yet, so hear me out. The human mind is incredibly powerful. Successful people visualize their success before it happens. Take professional golfers. Did you know that the really great ones (or maybe all of them) plan out every stroke in their head before they ever swing the club? They visualize their swing, what the ball will do after it makes contact with the club, what path it will take, and exactly where it will land on the fairway or green.

In much the same way, I visualize what I’m going to eat. I plan it out beforehand. I do this several times a day. It has become habit for me. At night, I might review in my head what I ate that day and realize I went a little over the top, so I visualize what I will eat the next day. I make a plan. If I have a restaurant meal on my schedule, I picture items I know the place serves or check its website for a sneak preview of the menu. I believe planning and visualizing is an important exercise that can help you in your quest to lose and maintain weight. It may not be for everybody, but it works for me and has been an easy and effortless habit to develop. (excerpt from The Denim Diet.)

For those of you in major cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Washington, DC, and South Florida, you’re in luck! Menupages.com has you covered. Check out this stylie new website for menus in your area.

As a TV wardrobe stylist, I rely on certain “go-to” products that allow me to raise the style bar while creating a look that’s as slim and trim as possible. Here are five must-haves:

To make legs appear slimmer: Use self tanner/bronzer for pale legs. If you weren’t blessed with naturally tan or dark skin, adding a bit of color to your legs when wearing shorts, skirts, or dresses works like magic to slim and even tone your legs. Bronzer also hides spider veins and other unsightly blemishes. To get a safe, natural looking tan without sun exposure, use Lavera Sunless Tan - Self Tanning Lotion, which contains organic soy extracts, organic jojoba oil, calendula, aloe vera and rose water.

To combat the muffin top: DL 1961 Jeans with 4-way stretch, bootcut “Milano” Jeans. These are my new favorites! No muffin top and they literally hold everything in from every direction. The super dark indigo shade makes them dressy enough to wear to almost any occasion. Wash inside out to prevent fading and air dry to prevent shrinkage.

To eradicate back fat: All you need is the SPANX Bra-llelujah Wireless Front Closure Bra. It’s not exactly the sexiest-looking undergarment, but you won’t have ANYTHING oozing out the sides of your bra strap ANYWHERE. Buy one in black and one in nude and you’ll be set for any garment — even a t-shirt!

To minimize your tummy: This Alternative Women’s Eco Heather Short Sleeve Hoodie is the perfect substitute for a regular t-shirt which can often make even the slimmest person seem like they have a little belly fat. It comes in a wide array of colors and has built-in tummy minimizers. The front pocket adds a thin second layer of fabric and the wide waistband camouflages the tummy area like nothing else. This company also practices environmentally-friendly manufacturing methods.

To elongate your silhouette. It’s flip-flop season and believe it or not, the right color of flip-flop can create the longest, most flattering silhouette. Match the flip-flop to the shade of your skin, not your outfit — the neutral color will go with everything! Colors like black, red, and bright pink make your legs appear shorter and stockier. My favorite flip-flops are made in Brazil by Havaianas. They are a little pricier than your average flip-flop, but are so comfortable; you can wear them all day.

It’s possible to look great, save some greenbacks, and be more green at the same time. VERY possible! Check out this adorable outfit!

JEANS:

Levi Eco Skinny Boot Jeans – Pure Air, Style #15548, $69.50 – Made from 100% organic and recycled cotton, grown without synthetic chemicals or pesticides. Materials are carefully hand-selected to sustain a healthier environment — pure down to the natural, plant-based indigo dye.

TOP(s):

Alternative Stevie Wrap, $25.00 and Alternative Scoopneck T-shirt, $17.00 – Simple, comfortable and designed to be the go-to choice for eco-conscious styles.

SANDALS:

Rocket Dog, “Women’s Planetpup Wedge,” $54.99 – These shoes are made up of a mix of recycled, biodegradable and natural materials.

HANDBAG:

Matt and Nat, “Everest,” $195.00 – Vegan canvas bag with environmental consciousness in mind.

NECKLACE:

Kumvana Gomani Ice Cream Tri Necklace, $40.00 – 3 strands of necklace are handcrafted from recycled ice cream containers from Sweden.

$176.00 Hudson “Dakota Wash” Triangle Flap Pocket Bootcut Stretch — Fits most body types, especially helpful if your backside could use some enhancing.

$172.00 True Religion, “Becky” Bootcut Stretch Jeans — The quintessential “LA” trendy, yet flattering, designer denim.

$158.00 DL 1961 Milano (1185) in Harbor, 4-Way Stretch — The 4-way stretch is nothing short of a miracle. These are my go-to pair.

$69.50 Levi Eco Skinny Boot Jeans in Dusk, Style #15548 — Flattering, eco-friendly, and you can’t beat the price.

$69.50 The Gap, “Essential” Jeans — Basic, fits most body types, good everyday pair of jeans without looking like mom jeans.

I talk a bunch about food and how to tweak your diet to finally and forever get rid of those unwanted pounds, but in addition to dietary changes like watching portions, consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, eating whole grains, limiting sweets, drinking plenty of water, and getting some exercise, maybe what you also need is an attitude adjustment! Nothing major — Just a few minor adjustments. I’ve been where some of you are and what I’m about to share with you has worked flawlessly for me with very little effort. And the best part? The weight has stayed off for the past 23 years.

ADJUSTMENT #1: Rethink food.

Channel the thoughts of a newborn baby for a second. They’re not thinking about what tastes good or even looks good, they’re thinking fuel and we give them premium fuel that will promote the best health possible. Take the same excellent care of yourself and only put the best possible fuel in your body. When I’m hungry, I don’t think about what sounds delicious or what would taste amazing; I think about what would quickly satiate me and optimally fuel my body, and I make sure I have plenty of things on hand that will do the job. I call this “purposeful eating” because everything I put into my body, I eat on purpose.

ADJUSTMENT #2: Start anywhere.

It all comes down to habits. Positive things we do repeatedly can add up to real measurable results. Rather than get frustrated and focus on those pounds of weight you want to lose, start somewhere, anywhere. When you have a big task ahead and don’t know where to begin, start with the most obvious thing or whatever pops into your mind first. Once you do, you’ll be under way. You choose what habit you’d like to begin with. Maybe, starting tomorrow, you’ll take a half-hour walk in the morning or maybe you’ll eat only a small bowl of berries for dessert after dinner. Think about how good you feel that you took better care of your body, and imagine what you might add to your efforts the following day or the day after that. One small habit at a time. Once you get rolling, you’ll feel an unstoppable amount of momentum, confidence, and accomplishment, and the rest will be history.

ADJUSTMENT #3: Think baby steps and not big picture.

It’s one step in the right direction at a time. Try not to obsess over those ten pounds or your final weight objective. If it takes a little while to reach your ideal, healthy weight, then that’s what it takes. You are not in a fat-burning race. There is no quick fix, and when you don’t take the time to lose weight with habits you can sustain over the long run, the weight will inevitably return. Celebrate the modest progress you achieve every day by eating well, drinking plenty of water, getting much-needed exercise, and changing your habits so today’s extra weight will one day be history and not a part of your future. When my sister lost considerable weight over a nine-month period, she didn’t think about how many pounds she was losing per week. In fact, she didn’t set any weight-loss goals at all. She changed her habits, one baby step at a time, and how she looked at food and saw it as a new, lifelong way of healthy living.

ADJUSTMENT #4: Participate in life.

Happy, fulfilled people are simply more successful. Back when I was overweight, I thought I was fat and ugly and not deserving of friends or social activities. I was going to live a full and rich life only after I reached my ideal, healthy body weight. I realize now how silly that was. So you have some weight to lose. If you are feeling anything remotely like I once did and you’re waiting to live your life until after you achieve your weight-loss goals, stop. This is your life. Get out there and share your triumphs and difficulties with anyone and everyone. People want to know you. Maybe there’s someone in your life who is just dying to have someone to commiserate with, walk with, eat with, have tea with, and get to know. Likely, there are many co-workers, friends, family members, and acquaintances who would love to share some good times with you. Have some fun, and join in on the action, no matter where you are in your weight-loss efforts. This increased happiness and fulfillment will, believe it or not, help you in your weight loss efforts.

ADJUSTMENT #5: Dress for success.

There is no need to hide in oversized clothing because you’ve got some weight to lose. Wear clothes that fit you. Oversized, elastic-wasted clothing actually adds weight and sends a loud and clear message not only to yourself, but to the world, that you’re in hiding. Get rid of those sweatpants and go buy yourself a pair of jeans that are just the right size for you. Don’t spend a lot of money because they won’t fit you for very long. If it were me, I’d splurge and buy a second pair in the size you realistically want to be, can be, and will be before you know it. Try that second pair on once a week and relish in that week-by-week, they are getting looser and looser. Believe wholeheartedly in your success and watch it unfold.

Who is up for an attitude adjustment?

It’s not exactly news that many American food manufacturers put cheap, fat-making, toxic, fake fillers in our food, but did you know that the ratio of fat-to-salt-to-sugar can also be cleverly combined to reach an ideal BLISSPOINT that makes food addictive and nearly impossible to resist? I didn’t! It doesn’t make a lick of a difference to me in terms of my own diet because those foods never reach my lips, but how are YOU doing in your attempt to avoid what author Dr. David Kessler of The End of Overeating calls HYPERPALATABLE FOODS?

In a recent article in the Washington Times, Dr. Kessler explains that, “Our brains start encoding everything about the hyperpalatable food - say a chocolate-chip cookie - so that the next time we see or think about a chocolate-chip cookie, we almost can hear the crinkle of the cellophane wrap, feel the crunch of the first bite between our teeth and taste the intense explosion of chocolate, fat and sugar. The experience of the chocolate-chip cookie becomes multisensory. Multisensory and almost impossible to resist, the thought of the cookie raises dopamine levels in the brain, which sends waves of anticipation through the body.”

So how do we avoid something like an overly-processed, packaged, strategically-engineered chocolate chip cookie in the first place? You can start by changing the way you think about a chocolate chip cookie. Visualize what it should look like, taste like, and feel like to eat it? I’m serious. Redefine what food bliss means to you. I didn’t know about all this blisspoint stuff when I wrote my book, but coincidentally, I discuss food bliss in my book — in a chapter appropriately titled, Food Bliss! To me, food bliss occurs every single time I take a bite of something, without exception, because I only eat foods that meet my criteria for healthy eating.

My chocolate chip cookie isn’t quite as sweet, gooey, or smooth in texture as your average store-bought cookie, but mine doesn’t make me fat because I can stop at just one as it’s not perfectly-engineered to prompt addictive behavior while I’m eating it. Because of my cookie’s wholesome ingredients, it also doesn’t drain my energy or contribute negatively to my health. I can trust my cookie because I made it - or someone I know and trust did. Wanna find out for yourself?

Here’s my chocolate chip cookie recipe (adapted from my sister Kelly’s energy bars, which are in the recipe section of my book):

NOTE: you can make these into cookies or bars…I’m lazy and bars are quicker and easier to prepare. Use local, certified organic ingredients if possible.

1 one-fourth cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 teaspoon expeller-pressed organic canola oil

one-fourth cup toasted wheat germ

one-fourth cup whole wheat flour

one-fourth cup flaxseed meal

one-fourth cup amber agave nectar or raw honey

1 large egg white

2 tablespoons plain nonfat yogurt

2 teaspoons unsulphured dark molasses

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

one-half teaspoon sea salt

one-third cup dark chocolate chips

one-fourth cup raisins and/or chopped dried apples or apricots (optional)

one-fourth cup sunflower seeds (optional)

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Brush an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with canola oil. combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine wet ingredients in a separate, smaller bowl. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture until thoroughly combined. Spread the mixture in the prepared pan and press down firmly and evenly using an oiled rubber spatula. Bake in the center of the oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven, let cool completely, and cut into bars to serve.

Make these sometime and let me know if these tasty treats hit your blisspoint.

In fact, here in Oregon, we only have about two weeks left to enjoy farm fresh, local organic strawberries. That’s okay. Up next are raspberries and blueberries. It’s going to be a great summer. A few miles from my home is Sauvie’s Island — home to farm after farm of seasonal offerings. A friend and I ventured out (adorable puppy Lyra in tow) to score a couple of flats of Oregon’s finest strawberries. We picked Hoods, Honeyoyes, and Shuksans and while the taste difference is subtle, I’m partial to the Shuksans; cool name, a tad prettier, easier to pick, and the sun came out while we were picking them. Organic strawberries are not only attractive and delicious, they are superstars when it comes to your health.

Did you know?

- A mere cup of fresh strawberries will see to it that your daily requirement of Vitamin C is effectively met. In fact, they contain more vitamin C in them than many citrus fruits. When ripe, these berries are also rich in flavanoids.

-The two most abundant flavanoids present in strawberries are quercetin and kaempferol. Recent research done in strawberries suggests that this flavanoid duo has the potential to prevent the “bad” (LDL) cholesterol from oxidizing. Thus the arterial walls are saved from disruption. No wonder, strawberries are treasured even from the ancient days for its unique medicinal value.

-Strawberries are rich in ellargic acid. This acid is actually common to all the other cousin berries such as raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, grapes, cherries, walnuts, pecans and Brazil nuts. Ellargic acid is found to perform the scavenging role of eliminating the harmful cancer-causing chemicals after binding them together. It also effectively brings down the binding of carcinogens to DNA. This ultimately leads to reduced risk of cancer in cultured human cells that are exposed to carcinogens.

-Strawberries are high in fiber, folate and potassium. Strawberries are a natural means of reducing the risk of coronary ailments. They also play a positive role in regulating the blood pressure level.

-One cup of fresh strawberries supplies our body with protein and carbohydrate. It also contains iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium.

Information provided by www.magazine.ayurvediccure.com

It’s also farmers’ market season. Go to eatwellguide.org and enter your zip code to find the freshest, tastiest, and healthiest food vendors in your area.

From my segment on San Diego Living last week…I highlight some of the tips I offer in my book, The Denim Diet.

San Diego Living: June 15, 2009

1) FPV–Food Planning and Visualization Most of us eat out a couple of times a week. One of the biggest reasons it’s hard to be successful when you’re trying to lose weight is not knowing how to eat out at restaurants without overeating.  There’s a trick to doing this successfully that I call FPV-which stands for Food Planning and Visualization. You plan in advance what you are going to eat and you visualize yourself doing just that. Successful people visualize their success before it happens, whether it’s perfecting a golf swing, delivering a great presentation, or not succumbing to food temptation. Now that so many restaurants have their menus online, FPV has become even easier.  Go to the restaurant’s website and select exactly what you are going to order when you get there.  Picture yourself saying, “I am going to have the grilled chicken breast salad lightly dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.” See yourself eating it and enjoying it and not going home feeling overly-stuffed and needing to lie down on the couch wondering, “Why did I do that?” Make a plan and you are far more likely to execute it perfectly.

2) Embrace Dieting Failures and Move Forward With Baby Steps. Every woman I know who has tried to lose weight has been unsuccessful at one time or another in her attempt, whether it was a daily setback or less frequent eating mishaps. I know many dieters get this idea in their head that when they’ve blown it, like say they ate a 200 calorie chocolate chip cookie, they figure well, I’ve gone and ruined my diet for today and I may as well really blow it and eat a few more cookies or maybe a half a pint of ice cream. Can you imagine what would happen to the shape of our financial health if we had that same attitude when we’re out shopping for clothes? Just like you really can’t afford a 200 calorie cookie, you splurge on a pair of $200 jeans and then figure you’ve blown it now so you may as well buy a $200 pair of shoes and a $400 handbag? No, we cut our losses, vow to stick to the budget next time, maybe put a few more hours in at the office and get back on track. Same goes with your diet. So you ate a cookie, forgive yourself, let it go, vow to be better the rest of the day, and move on.  Successful weight loss is all about the baby steps…a lot of little baby steps in the right direction adds up to steady and permanent weight loss. But the opposite is also true so don’t beat yourself up over one cookie – that only makes matters worse…just get back on track.

3) Have The Big O: An Organic-ism that is! Put your money where your mouth is.  Organic food costs more and you’re worth it.  A study through The Organic Center (http://organic-center.org/) recently proved that organic food is, on average, 25 percent more nutritious, so you’re definitely getting more for your money and any good chef will tell you it also tastes better. Organic food also takes a lot of the guesswork out of reading labels. The USDA does not allow nasty, fat-making ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and partionally hydrogenated oils (aka, trans fats) in certified organic food. Instead of being a member of the Clean Your Plate Club, drop your membership effective immediately and join the Clean Eaters Club where eating local and seasonal food that has been minimally processed is all the rage and for good reason. Go to eatwellguide.org to locate farmers’ markets, food co-ops, restaurants, and bakeries that provide local, sustainable, and organic food in your zip code.

4) Eat Well With Others Understand where friends, family, and favorite food enablers our coming from. Recognize that your plateful may look slightly different than your children’s or your spouse’s or your roommate’s.  You may even get hassled a bit or questioned by your loved ones. Prepare yourself for comments and concerns from family members and well-meaning food enablers who want to tell you how “you’re missing out” and “limiting yourself”. Some may try to guilt you into eating something that you shouldn’t by saying it’s your favorite and they made it (or bought it) especially for you.  Be gracious, and politely but firmly decline.  Your best defense is not to be defensive – you’ll get hassled more!  Be indifferent.  Indifference is a powerful tool.  Do what dogs do – quietly tilt your head in a semi-puzzled, but trusting look and go back to what you were doing.

5) Jeans vs. Junk Food: Be A Master of Your Denim. Every time you want to eat junk food, ask yourself…what is more important, the momentary pleasure of eating this, or fitting into that dream pair of jeans? I say, Behind every successful dieter is a supportive pair of jeans! Buy the size you are realistically going to fit into when you’ve shed your unwanted pounds and keep them visible in your bathroom, or hanging at the front of your closet and try them on once a week.  This is such an excellent motivator and one that has worked for me for over two decades. And here’s what you do if you’re home and you’re being summoned into the kitchen by a bag of potato chips, go try on that pair of jeans! That’ll stop you dead in your tracks – especially if you notice your jeans are actually feeling a little looser. Such good motivation!

On June 17th, I will be the guest speaker at an event for The Link for Women in Portland, Oregon. It’s going to be a special night of fun, food, and fashion and I would love for all you Portland Women to attend and participate in what’s going to be a lively discussion! Big Brothers Big Sisters will be on-hand to collect donations of new or gently worn jeans. Those who donate will get a one-time discount of 30% on a new pair jeans courtesy of Nolita in the Pearl District. This whopping discount is a unique offer and is only available to those that attend this event. 30% off a pair of designer jeans is HUGE! Katy from Nolita will be on-hand to talk jeans and will also have many pairs available for sale if you can’t wait to visit her fabulous store. True Religion, one of Nolita’s vendors is sponsoring the event.

We’ll be learning all about my 16 simple habits to create the healthy body that all those fad diets promised, but could only deliver temporarely. My easy guidance will change things around for the rest of your life. I don’t work exceptionally hard at this — trust me, if I can do it, anybody can! 

The Link for Women is a group of 2000+ fabulous Portland women (there is also a branch in Seattle) that offers outstanding networking. Everytime I’ve attended an event, I’ve made numerous contacts that lead to some new amazing opportunity…as well as friendship!

Please come join us! 

Here are the Details: 

Cost: Includes tapas and no-host cocktails) 

Pre-Paid Members $30/ Non-Members $45 (By NOON, day of event) 
At the Door Members $35/ Non-Members $50 

Click HERE to register.

Agenda 
5:30 - 6:30 Tapas, cocktails and linking 
6:30 - 8:00 Conversation and Q & A 
8:00 - 8:30 A final cocktail/more linking 

Location 
bridgeport brewpub + bakery
1313 NW Marshall Street
Portland, OR 97209
503.241.7179
Parking available at the Safeway Building. 
Entrance is on 14th between Lovejoy and Marshall.
http://www.bridgeportbrew.com

Denise Cerreta from One World

The mission statement for the “pay as you want” One World restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah is: 

* We are dedicated to eliminating world hunger.

* We are dedicated to serving organic unprocessed food.

* We are dedicated to feeding and including all members of our community.

* We are dedicated to eliminating waste in the food industry.

* We believe that we can trust our customers to be inspired, honest and fair in their exchange of money and/or work for the fresh, gourmet, organic food we prepare both mindfully and in a heartfelt way each day.

* We will keep believing…

Here’s the deal — taken directly from the One World website:

“The concept began when owner Denise Cerreta in mid 2003 had an epiphany to serve organic food, let people choose their own portions and let them price those portions themselves.  Since then, she’s gained local, national and world-wide notoriety for her pay as you go prices, seasonal no menu organic cuisine, living wages, minimal food waste and healthy meals that are within everyone’s reach.

By encouraging people to savor the meal, Ms. Cerreta is attempting to help people see the value of food as more than a mere consumable but rather, as a glue and a catalyst for healthy people, relationships and communities.  Customers are able to seat themselves in a relaxed atmosphere that is condusive to conversation; opposite to the usual public dining experience of isolation.  Because our customers choose their own prices, their portions tend to be more mindful and reflect that they will actually want to eat, with the result being little or no food waste.  We’ve realized that this makes more food available and we expect this will make the concept exportable and adoptable worldwide.  
  
Philosophy meets business through her desire to pay her workers a living wage, as well provide volunteer options for those who would prefer a “hand up” rather than a hand out.  For every hour someone gives to our foundation, they can receive a voucher for a full meal, and children under 8 can eat with a parent on the same vouncher.  Plus, there is always a complimentary staple dish that everyone can eat regardless of means.  Denise and the staff knew the model was successful on the day that there were several people eating, all of whom had volunteered earlier in the week and had redeemed their vouchers.  But all were eating anonymously and with dignity.   

One World Everybody Eats wants to see a community kitchen in every city in the world, but our focus for this has changed.  We began with a short list of U.S. cities, but soon found people were contacting us about how to follow our lead much faster than we could ever establish kitchens ourselves.” 

To learn more about this model or inquire about starting a One World restaurant in your city, click here to download a handy guide.

Sorry for the delay. I was actually waiting for an e-mail response back from Jessica, the first person to comment. I needed some clarification about her meal such as whether the sandwich bread was whole wheat and what she thought was in the sauce on her sandwich.

Unfortunately, I never heard back from her.

So…the winner is Jennifer G! Her response was…

_____________________________

Breakfast:
1/2 banana, glass of milk (fat-free, of course) and one slice of turkey breast on a slice of double-fiber whole grain bread

Lunch:
1 hard-boiled egg (minus half the yolk), some baby carrots and a glass of fat-free milk

Dinner:
a boneless chicken breast (grilled without oil or fat), about 2 servings of broccoli (with a squeeze of lemon) and a romaine salad with cucumbers and a dash of vinegar and lemon juice.

_____________________________

I would love to hear from you if you have questions as to why this particular menu was the big winner.

Thanks so much for participating in the Give-A-Way!

Sorry! My day got busy…winner announced tomorrow or Friday!

Thanks so much everyone! The winner of the goody bag and signed copy of The Denim Diet will be announced Wednesday morning — I really appreciate you all sharing your meals with me! Since you were so kind as to share, it’s only fitting that I divulge what I ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner last Friday:

BREAKFAST: 

1 cup organic nonfat plain yogurt

1/2 cup frozen organic blueberries

1 tablespoon chopped organic almonds and walnuts

1/2 teaspoon organic maple syrup

LUNCH:

1/2 eggwhite salad (mixed with dijon mustard)

1 slice Dave’s Killer (Power Seed, whole grain) organic bread, toasted

1/2 small organic avocado, sliced

1 organic banana

SNACK:

1 piece organic light string cheese

1 small square dark organic chocolate (85% cocoa)

1 organic pear

DINNER:

Grilled true cod - about 6 ounces

Dinner salad - mixed veggies with organic balsamic, citrus dressing.

Red wine - approximately two glasses

And…lots and lots of water throughout the day!

Thanks again and look for the contest winner tomorrow!

HAPPY TUESDAY!

It’s Friday. The sun is shining in Portland, Oregon. It’s a three-day weekend. Sounds like the perfect time to give one of my blog readers a goody bag filled with tasty and healthy, organic goodies from my beloved homestate of Oregon. I also throw in a personalized signed copy of The Denim Diet.

This fun little give-a-way contest is EASY. All you have to do is comment below and tell me what you had for breakfast. lunch, or dinner yesterday. No cheating! The first person that sends in a Denim Diet-approved meal gets the goody bag and signed book. It’s my book so I’m the judge!

Your e-mail address will automatically be sent to me (no one else can see it) and I will send you an e-mail reply notifying you that you’re the winner and request a mailing address…it’s that easy!

Here are the actual bag contents (I’m not really sending you carrots): 

Dagoba New Moon, Organic Dark Chocolate (74% Cacao Content)

From a 1990 Nike "Just do it" ad in Vogue

And now what? The Denim Diet?!? Forget about the word diet for a moment. The topic of calories is front and center today and is a favorite of mine. I delve into it briefly in my book. Here’s an excerpt…

We’ve all heard, “it’s calories in, calories out,” right? It’s true that a deficit will cause weight loss, while a surplus will cause weight gain. If I severely restricted my daily calorie intake, but my diet consisted solely of refined cane sugar, I seriously doubt I’d lose weight because I’d be sending my blood sugar (insulin level) through the roof. According to Barbara Berkeley, MD, a board-certified internist who has specialized in treating overweight and obese patients for over twenty years, “insulin is the hormone that opens your fat cells and allows foods to be stored as fat. It is the only major hormone that has this job.” So you want to keep your insulin level low and keep calories in check to accumulate less fat.

Marcelle Pick, RNC, MSN, OB/GYN NP (on womentowomen.com) just wrote a very thorough article on calories, metabolism, setpoint, hormones, and why some women have a tough time losing weight or keeping it off once they’ve lost it. I encourage you to read the entire (quite lengthy) article titled, Natural weight loss: A holistic approach that’s healthy, effective and lasting, but I’ve summarized the article and included a few key excerpts here:

Dr. Pick is writing from personal experience. Her opening sentence reads, “Over the years I’m sure I’ve lost over 100 pounds — the same 10 pounds ten times!”

In her 27 years of practicing medicine, she has made a few conclusions about weight gain and resistence to weight loss. The reason she calls her findings a holistic approach is she believes that in order to lose weight and keep it off, “you must restore your health and hormonal balance — if you don’t, either the weight will come right back after you stop dieting, or it will stay put no matter how hard you try to get rid of it. Think of it as getting healthy from the inside out. Only once you’re in balance can you lose weight and keep it off.”

The just of this is weight loss success isn’t only about calories in/calories out…genetics, nutrition, physical activity, emotional history, stress level, lifestyle, and environment are all factors as well. Seems like a lot to control, but she breaks it down: 

On nutrition: ”No matter how often you hear that “a calorie is a calorie,” it is just not that simple: what, when, and how you eat do matter. And nothing shuts down metabolism faster than starvation and deprivation. Your body immediately switches into hoarding mode: conserving fat and burning the liver’s glycogen reserves for energy. Once the reserves of glycogen are depleted, your brain sends out intense hunger signals that will not be denied. This is the source of so much failed yo-yo dieting and repeat weight gain.”

On setpoint: “Adequate nutrition combined with moderate physical activity automatically keeps our bodies at a healthy set point: a predetermined body fat ratio within a 10–15-pound weight range. Your metabolism is designed to vigorously defend your set point by speeding up or slowing down if its thresholds are threatened.”

On what’s going on with the rest of your body functions and systems: “The amount you eat and when are governed by your brain, fat cells, and central nervous system (which are highly influenced by your environment). How well you digest your food and rid your body of toxins relies on the health of your GI tract and other organs, like your liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system. How efficiently the cells in your body convert your food to energy is affected by the health of your respiratory, musculoskeletal, endocrine, and immune systems.”

On metabolic hormones: “New insights appear almost daily on this weight loss frontier — the relationship between hormones and how the gut talks to the brain to regulate weight — Of course, the major player in this scenario is insulin. Insulin is a primary hormone that is directly affected by your diet. It determines whether blood sugar gets used right away for immediate energy or stored as fat instead. Any disruption in the insulin-regulating mechanism, such as insulin resistance, has an instant effect on some of the lesser metabolic hormones — the list of which grows longer each year as we uncover more of the inner workings of human metabolism.” Dr. Pick discusses other hormones in the article.

On the brain and weight loss: “The metabolism’s first priority is to feed the brain. The brain needs a steady stream of glucose to perform, and when that stream is disrupted the body responds with a multitude of coping mechanisms, like flooding the pathways with cortisol and adrenaline. Designed to cover the brain’s demands for energy during short periods of stress, these emergency measures were never intended to stay switched on. Unfortunately, that is exactly what’s happening in many women — leading to chronic depletion in certain areas, food addiction, depression, and unhealthy weight.”

On our emotions: “Not just chemicals, but feelings too. But our brains aren’t just a collection of chemicals; emotions can also be powerful contributors to weight gain, because they all produce biochemical reactions in the physical world. Some women simply can’t begin to take the necessary measures to heal their physiology without first addressing their emotional attachment to food.”

On inflammation, digestion, and obesity: “One of the more overlooked signs of a taxed metabolism is inflammation, especially as it relates to fat cells. Proteins synthesized in adipose tissue, also called adipocytokines, are compounds that can have both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Which effect gets the upper hand depends on the healthy balance of all the other elements we’ve discussed — and more. We still can’t say whether inflammation is a primarily the result or a cause of obesity, but we know the two go hand-in-hand.”

On building muscle and losing fat: “As a species, we are meant to be active. Our ancestors had to walk, run, dig and till for their food. Over and over again, the magic pill that everyone is looking for appears to be exercise. This doesn’t mean you have to become a fanatic, but you do have to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. The right amount or style will, again, depend on your individual circumstances and metabolic profile. A diet high in simple carbohydrates and sugar means that your body has a ready supply of glucose and rarely has to burn fat. A balanced diet that includes more protein, micronutrients, and fiber provides more long-term fuel and helps builds muscle.”

On natural detoxification: “Nature has provided us with a remarkably efficient and versatile detoxification system, but allergens, heavy metals, unhealthy bacteria, pesticides, and the cumulative effects of toxic exposure over many years directly influence how well everything else in your body functions. It is the piece that ties everything together. How well you are coping with your “toxic load” is highly individual, but gaining weight (or being unable to lose weight) is a telling sign that demands are outweighing support. The health of your liver and kidneys, your essential detox organs, should be addressed as part of any good weight loss plan.

I like Dr. Pick’s whole body, sensible approach and It would appear that she and I are pretty much on the same page. Do you think there are any areas she covers that you could work on to achieve better weight loss results, have more energy, feel better, and/or put an end to weight fluctation and yo-yo dieting?

Saw this on Connie Bennett’s Sugarshock Blog…simultaneously sad, clever, and a little brilliant! I apologize in advance if this offends anyone! Sorry!

From Sugarshock Blog:

“This clever, fictional visual spoof – posted by a variety of bloggers such as the Director Blue Blog, the Democratic Underground and British reporter Daniel Hannan (The Telegraph) – aptly portrays the terribly tragic, ever-widening, health-harming effect that certain American food companies have on the waistlines of people living or visiting here. This satiric photo essay is sad but also funny, isn’t it?” 

Click here for complete article and link to a pretty hilarious (and sad!) video. Give it a looksee and let me know what you think!

I went to an online social networking presentation last night and learned a bunch of new things. The presenter was Janet Lee Johnson (@janetleejohnson on Twitter) and the event was sponsored by The Link for Women, a women’s networking group located in Portland and Seattle. I’m actually the speaker for next month’s event so it was good to see the drill. Now I’m really nervous because Janet really knew her stuff and gave an engaging and informative talk.

I learned ALL about twitter (come tweet with me!) and more importantly, I discovered Tweetdeck! If you like twitter, Tweetdeck will be life changing! I ran into a gal at the event that looked hauntingly familiar. After a few probing questions, I discovered that I was her high school cheerleading coach! Yes, I coached one LONG year of girls competitive high school cheerleading. I’ll dish on that torture-filled year some other time. This gal was a wealth of information. Like most people 10 (okay 12 or 13) years younger than me, she totally knows her way around social networking and online marketing.

Good thing because she inadvertently taught me about contxts.com. I say inadvertently because she didn’t really espouse the virtues of contxts.com to me, she merely sent me her contact info using their clever service, which is basically a handy tool that sends a text message to any cell phone you desire that contains all your pertinent contact information. This is perfect for me because I’m constantly asked for my business card, but I haven’t had one since the late 90s. At first it was because I was doing a second bachelor’s degree and didn’t need one during that time and later it was because I didn’t want to waste the resources and energy that goes into the printing of business cards. 

Of course, then I went and wrote a book which is obviously printed on paper…although my publisher, New World Library, is a member of The Green Press Initiative and has books printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper with soy-based ink. Plus, The Denim Diet just came out on Kindle! Finally!

As far as not having a business card…thanks to Lisa Anne, problem solved! Once you get your account set up on contxts.com, all you have to do is send a text message to 50500 from your cell phone and type “Send 000-000-0000″ in the main text body area and hit send (the 0’s stand for the number you want to receive the text).  The recipient immediately receives all your vital “business card” info like your name, email address, phone number, website, blog, etc. How cool is that?

My best friend has really long legs and she walks nearly twice as fast as me. We walk all over Portland…almost every day that’s not raining. We mostly walk for the sake of walking (as in getting exercise), but sometimes we walk to our favorite vintage and resale shops.

The Gilded Closet is our new fave for resale.  

Sari Gueron Design

I found the adorable dress to the right (by designer, Sara Gueron) the last time I shopped there. It’s so last year and I so don’t care! And it looks nothing like that on me! It’s much longer for one thing…talk about long legs! Walking with my best friend can create some big problems for me…Big as in big blisters. Last Friday, we walked six miles and I will let the picture below illustrate how that went for me…Ouch!

Walking is a low impact exercise and when combined with strength training (weights, balls, and bands) and stretching (yoga and pliates), is a great way to get in shape, stay in shape, and get from here to there, but maybe I need to be more careful with my choice of walking partners! Anyone else have any walking injuries they’d like to share or tips on how to get that nasty stain removed?

Mine says denim can be worn for every occasion. I’m either in jeans or in my fluffy pink bathrobe. I like all kinds of jeans (except capri style…they make my legs look short). My friend Karyn has a blog called DenimID…a place where people can express their own unique denim identity. She’s also in development on a custom line of denim where customers get to design their own back pockets. I’m so down with that. Another cool thing she is doing with her denim line is donating 10% of her profits to an organization she’s involved with called Room to Read that has four outstanding and worthwhile core programs:

• Reading Room Program - We establish libraries and stock them with local language children’s books published by Room to Read, donated English language books, games, furniture - everything that is required to establish a child-friendly learning environment.
• Local Language Publishing Program - We source new content from local writers and artists and publish high-quality children’s books in the local language and in English. These books are then distributed throughout our network of schools and libraries so that children have access to books in their local language and in English.
• School Room Program - We partner with local communities to build schools so that children can learn in a safe environment.
• Girls’ Education Program - We provide long-term scholarships to girls so they have the opportunity to go to school.

As an author, denim lover, and firm believer in education, I applaud and support Karyn’s efforts wholeheartedly. 

Me and Karyn: friends since 7th grade - no clue what I found so amusing...

Last Thursday, the superstar advertising agency, Wieden and Kennedy in Portland, Oregon held an art exhibit featuring work from 100 Wieden and Kennedy employees from around the world. The exhibit is part of an on-line auction and all proceeds go to Room to Read. The turnout was great…likely due to some seriously great art, but offering free cocktails from a local distillery called House Spirits certainly didn’t hurt! I sampled their aquavit which is made from anise and caraway seed…outstanding! Here’s a peek at the exhibit:

And here’s me (below) in my denim identity for the evening…all black and mysterious (in keeping with the artsy atmosphere), but worn with a trench coat since this is Portland, Oregon in the springtime, which means a downpour can unexpectedly occur at any given moment. The hat isn’t for the weather…that just means I didn’t feel like washing and styling my hair. Room to Read is looking for volunteers around the world. Click here to learn how you can get involved. Karyn is also looking for volunteers for her Portland chapter.  I’m doing it! Come join us!

How exciting! I recently received the message below in my Facebook inbox from a co-worker and friend that bought a copy of The Denim Diet at my book signing at Powell’s in March.

This isn’t just shameless self promotion I swear! Her letter illustrates perfectly just how easy it is to make small changes in your eating habits (by now you know I’m not a fan of the word DIET) and get BIG results.

Yay Hollye!

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Hi Miss Kami,

Hope you are well. I wanted to let you know a couple of things:

1. I have lost about 10-12 pounds in about 7 weeks by cutting out most refined flour and eating only whole grains (I’m a huge convert of wheat berries and quinoa); however, I cannot bring myself to eat whole wheat pasta, but I have a way around that — I love other whole grains, so while the rests of the family is having their pasta (they are Italian, you know) I put my sauce over a whole grain.

2. Since I LOVE TO COOK I am developing all sorts of recipes to get the rest of the fam damily to eat better. If you’re ever interested in having a contributor/collaborator for a Denim Diet Cookbook, I’m your girl. You should try my banana nut muffins (which can be made with a variety of fruits/veggies ~ not just bananas). Instead of sugar/etc., they have a super light whole wheat flour, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, and either a tiny bit of butter or a little hazel nut oil and some apple sauce. They’re really great.

3. I’ve also been promoting your book with all my buddies not only here but across the country. Is your book available at other stores besides Powell’s? I have some friends who are internet adverse and will not order anything off Amazon, etc., but they will burn fossil fuels to go to Barnes & Noble/Borders what not. Let me know.

4. My bone spurs in my neck have made it necessary for me to quit paddling; however, I have stepped up my workouts at the gym (yoga, specifically) per my doctor’s orders. Thus, between sensible exercise (like you said, whatever works for you) and eating intelligently, it works.

So, if you need a testimonial from me regarding how your plan works, again, I’m your girl.

Love your book.

Talk to you later,

Hollye

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How lucky are we?!? I begged Hollye for the Banana Nut Muffin recipe and a pretty picture to go along with it and here it is! Thank you girlfriend!

Banana Nut Muffin Recipe by Hollye Maxwell

Adapted from Baking Illustrated by the Editors of Cook’s Illustrated Magazine.

NOTE: I changed many of the ingredients for this recipe and some of the quantities; you may find that your oven and tastes push the recipe in a different direction; however, this adaptation fits The Denim Diet philosophy.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2 cups whole wheat flour, plus more for dusting the tins
1 ½ cups or so chopped nuts (pecans, hazelnuts, walnuts ~ the choice is yours)
¼ cup maple syrup
½ cup brown rice syrup
3 tablespoons applesauce
3 tablespoons melted and cooled unsalted butter (or if you’re really adventurous, use 3 T extra virgin olive oil)
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
3 very ripe, soft large bananas mashed (about 1 ½ cups or so)
¼ cup plain nonfat yogurt
2 large eggs lightly beaten (or one egg and one egg white)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toast the chopped nuts about 5 minutes on a baking sheet and cool.

While the nuts are toasting, grease your muffin tins with a little butter and dust with flour or use unbleached paper muffin liners. 

Mix the wet ingredients together.

Whisk the dry ingredients together.

Mix the wet into the dry by folding with a spatula.

Scoop about ½ cup of the mixture into the prepared muffin tins (more or less depending on how big you want your muffins).

Bake for about 25 minutes until a pick inserted has few crumbs clinging to it but be sure to start checking at 20 minutes as ovens vary widely in temperature/cooking time.  Also be sure to rotate the tins about halfway through the baking in order to bake them evenly.

Allow to cool in their pans for about 5 minutes then turn out and allow to cool completely before putting in a storage container.  They will keep about 3 to 4 days unrefrigerated in a container.

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Will someone who isn’t as lazy in the kitchen as I am PLEASE make these and let me know how they turn out?

And thank you Hollye! I’m very happy for you!