What if I go out of control ??

(since I'm no longer 100% Vegan)

There are Times when
I want to be like before
like my family and my friends
to be able to eat everything and not care & stay healthy

BUT
Now when I read more, I learn more, I know more, I also get more food restrictions = headache ;p
or how to cook this, how to prepare this, how to combine foods, etc etc etc
I used to eat everything, no worries, but I'm always about 2-3 kg overweight from my current weight.
when I was in Australia & Milan, I got fat and also I got acne because of all the dairy, cheese, sweets, that I ate,
but happy and also not happy because I'd feel stuffed and being a bit fat & have acne due to my comfort food choices is also not flattering ;p
But it was so easy getting food, I could just go anywhere and find food,
so should I go back to not care about nutrition and eat whatever I want again ?
Especially now that I'm no longer 100% Vegan.

WHAT IF I GO OUT OF CONTROL AND PIG OUT INSTEAD ?
But I can't, even if I want to
and that's not a bad thing.
Now, My body would definitely tell me if I ate too much junk
It's like a natural indicator
too much fried food = throat starts to feel bad
too much fatty food = tummy feels uncomfortable
etc
we all have that natural indicator, but most of use seem to ignore it.
Our rational mind says NO to comfort food, but we tend to surrender to our cravings for comfort food and not think ahead / in the long run.
I suppose people who are more conscious about their health and who are eating healthier are more aware of these things.
Raw foodist for example, they may be way more sensitive about these things than I am.
I'm just a beginner and I'm still learning lots and lots of stuff by the minute.

BESIDES
Whenever I want to eat easy-to-reach comfort food like most people
I go over to other people's websites
Raw foodist, Vegans, I'd just go over to their blogs and I'm just glad I didn't eat junk
All those healthy yummy creative food at their blogs
makes me crave healthy fresh fruits and vegetables instead of junk.
These people are really good in cooking, they come up with all sorts of creative food combinations and they're also great photographers :)
my only problem is I don't like spending time in the kitchen ;p but I love to eat

and What about when I want to eat meat ?
when I want to eat desserts ???
Should I refrain from them forever ?
Should I be Vegan forever ?

I know I'll always change, people change
and I was a strict Vegan for almost 8 months before, but I'm not at a point where I'm allowing a small amount of good quality "comfort food"
They make me happy, they make me enjoy my meal, they make me to be able to share food with families and friends again
but of course,
First, I find a healthier alternative if I can
Second, If there's no healthier alternative, I'll make a choice, to eat it or to not eat it.
If I allow myself to eat it, I'll eat it responsibly, in smaller portion and guilt free.
There's no point in allowing yourself to eat something and not enjoy it and feel guilty the whole time, you might as well not eat it at all.
what can I eat ?
it varies.......
I know I won't be drinking milk or eating dairy ice cream anytime soon because just thinking about it makes me tummy uneasy now.
I used to love Haagen Dasz Green Tea ice cream and the Banoffe I tried in Barcelona was to die for.
I just don't want it anymore at this point.

Since I've started going to the gym, I've started eating more now.
Sometimes way too much ;p
So I'm going to have to stop pigging out on food and be in control again.
By being in control I don't mean restricting food portion drastically just to keep my weight.
No.... for the past 8 Vegan months I can eat healthily as much as I want without gaining weight.
I think I can maintain that healthy lifestyle for the future.
Although I won't be 100% Vegan now, I know I'll definitely stay on the healthy Vegan side and adding more raw fresh Vegetables to my food
and fruits, nuts, sprouts, etc etc

By listening to my body
I know I'll definitely choose not to eat junk naturally
Being responsible means I'll be "awake" and realize what I'm doing / eating.
Eating Healthily is also as important as Eating happily :)

Anti Candida Diet Result part 2

LAB TEST
9 Nov 2009
After the end of the Anti Candida Diet
I did a stool test at a local Lab
I "send" in the "thing" in the morning and the result was there in the afternoon.
It wasn't a thorough lab test as the result was only positive or negative
So the result of the microscopic candida stool test was negative for parasites, fungi/yeast, amoeba.
It was positive for bacteria, but my mom said the stool test result is always positive for bacteria.
It cost around US$10

If I wanted a more accurate test, they could do a stool culture test which could take up to a week
and they'll be able to identify, if any, the names of candida types present. (cost around US$40)

I called numerous labs and they don't seem to know much about other tests for candidiasis.

And.....
My LAB TEST turn out negative for candidiasis,
so why did I even bother to do it in the first place ?
Well.... the thing is, we all have candida inside of us naturally
and eating a unhealthy diet can lead us to candida overgrowth which may cause problems that seems to be unimportant enough to be concerned about
and since candidiasis may be linked to a lot of auto immune disorder (I have Vitiligo)
So.... I did the Anti Candida Diet anyway.... just because I wanted to.
hey.... who knows right ? besides the stool test is not 100% accurate anyway.
and I'm glad I did the Anti Candida Diet, because it made me come to a NEW REALIZATION.
Read on at the bottom to find out more

SPIT TEST
I think my spit test will always result in stringy and speck-y clouds in the water.

WHITE TONGUE
I was just paranoid, my white tongue is just a normal tongue, probably with some toxins build up causing the whitish surface and the back part of the tongue.
You know how they tell you to scrape your tongue to clean it, I'll probably try that.

SUGAR INTAKE
I'll definitely control my sugar intake
I'll try to avoid all kinds of refined sugar
Palm sugar at a minimum
I also won't over indulge on Natural sugar (from fruits, coconut)
When I eat fruits, I won't eat everything in one go, I'll divide the portion so I can eat it in small portions throughout the day.

Besides,
Sugar is bad for your eyes,
Sugar is bad for candida
and Sugar can cause Diabetes
and Sugar is also called the White Death
and Our body don't need sugar anyway, so .... stay away from Sugar

GARLIC & Ginger
I'll eat puree/mashed Garlic, raw from time to time
I'll swallow a tiny portion of it with a little water and maybe with some food to help "push" the garlic down into my stomach. well....it's just a theory of mine ;p
and drinking Ginger Tea (without Tea) is good

RESPONSIBLE
I'll try to be responsible and not overeat on anything

VITILIGO
I didn't see any improvements on my Vitiligo
but Vitiligo is a slow process and I didn't expect any drastic change in 2 weeks time, but I know every little things I do to become healthier and happier counts for something.

The good thing that came out of this Anti Candida Diet is
THE REALIZATION
Realization that it's about everything, it's not all about food
LEARN TO LISTEN TO UR BODY, EXERCISE, REST WELL, REST/SLEEP ENOUGH,
HAPPY, SINCERE, DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF, etc
IT'S ABOUT EVERYTHING
and that's why I'm now writing about THE HEALTHY LIFE DIET.
To spread awareness what we can be healthy and happy and enjoy our meal at the same time
that it's not all about the food and losing weight.
It's about a healthy balanced diet without any judgement, strict or drastic changes.
It can be done gradually and of course, responsibly :)
You have to want to make a healthy change :)
It's just easy
Read more at www.TheHealthyLifeDiet.com



=========================


IMPORTANT FOR ANTI CANDIDA DIET

TO DO THE ANTI CANDIDA DIET, MAKE SURE U HAVE ENOUGH NUTRITION FROM FOOD !!!
You can also supplement while doing the Anti Candida Diet
I supplemented with :
Acidophilus capsule
Kelp capsule
Multivitamins
Garlic capsules or Raw Garlic puree/mashed
etc
other stuff : Ginger Tea, raw parsley, Aloe vera, etc

DON'T USE THIS CANDIDA DIET TO LOSE WEIGHT, EAT WHENEVER U'RE HUNGRY !!!!

If you don't have a major candida problem,
don't force yourself, esp on the first days !!!
if you can't handle the food, the hunger, the "die-off" reaction, etc
do the diet slowly and gradually, baby steps !!!
If you can go "drastic" you might experience the detox effect + die-off effect
and that could be a major discomfort.... major

I myself have been a vegan for 7 months
I've done :
- vegan+fruits (no carbs, grains, sugar, fried food)
- vegan + fruits+ carbs + grains + sugar + fried food
- vegan (no fruits + no carbs, grains, sugar, fried food)
- now I'm back again to
vegan + fruits+ carbs + grains + sugar + fried food
but limiting the fruits, carbs, grains, sugar and fried food
I'm eating responsibly and feel happier now.

All this time, I've eaten almost no canned food at all, no fake meat
no exercise during my 7 Vegan months -NEED TO
Update. I just started the gym last 2 weeks ago and I just love joining the Body Combat classes.
So I eat more now coz I work out more.

I've gradually lost roughly 2 kg - 2.5 kg during the 2 week period that I did the Anti Candida Diet.
But I've now gain back the weight I lost and I'm now back to my normal weight.


REMINDER
During the Anti Candida Diet, Eat whenever you're hungry, don't wait or postpone eating

DON'T DO THIS IF U LIVE ALONE
Always have people around just in case, tell them that you're doing the Anti Candida Diet.
I stay at home with people around me all the time.

Always Have Food ready in your fridge
so when you get really really hungry, you can eat right away

Remember to eat a large variety of Vegetables.
I'm amazed of what I've been eating, they're just so healthy and green
although they looked green and fresh but sometimes it's a struggle to eat them
but they're so healthy :)
that's why towards the end I added fish, tofu, etc
It really helped me to eat the food with ease and it made me enjoyed the food :) and it's important to feel Happy when you eat.
Read more at www.TheHealthyLifeDiet.com

ANTI CANDIDA DIET RESULT part 1

WHAT I NOTICE :

I noticed bad breadth during the first days of the Anti Candida Diet
but it went away in a few days
(I didn't experience bad breath during my normal Vegan days)

During the Anti Candida Diet
I'm always hungry, constant hunger
sometimes when I took a nap and woke up, I just got super duper hungry !!!!!!!!!
sometimes also in the mornings.

-------------

No sugar cravings
It's good to not have sugar cravings.
During my Anti-Candida Diet days I didn't have any sugar cravings at all.
I mean, you're no longer addicted and think about it all day, it's like being free.
No more cravings like crazy
No more going back and forth to the fridge
No more being dictated by the alleged crazy monsters, that lives inside you, too fetch them sugar.

when I normally eat fruits, (before the Anti Candida Diet)
I tend to cut and prepare too much, but ate it all, because, i'm greedy and "there's only 2 pcs left on the plate"
must control portion !!
Now I seem to eat less fruits at just one time and distribute it evenly throughout the day.

I appreciate sweet stuff more
fruits, coconuts
heavenly when eaten in moderation and not too much

Cravings are only in your head ?
wanting food is in your head ?
After I'm done with the Anti-Candida Diet,
I was on a strict diet a few days ago and I didn't want anything
but I stayed at home, so I didn't really have big temptations, except from cooked food at home.
But since I'm starting to loosen up a bit now, still on the healthy side though, I started wanting other stuff, not really craving them, just kinda wanting them, but not strongly.
Maybe I was a bit "envious" looking at other people eating everything ?
Maybe I was just bored at just eating vegs
When I said I was going to do the Anti-candida diet with all its restrictions, I didn't want any other food.
I started adding fish just because I thought I needed it because I didn't get enough nutrition by not eating fruits.
but I stayed on the healthy side.
So cravings and wanting food is probably just in your head ?
When you "restrict" yourself from a lot of food and picture a "NO" in your head, you don't want all kinds of food or junk.
but I found that "Once you "allow" yourself more food choices, then you start wanting more food"

----------

Sometimes I found it hard to breathe, like there's not enough Oxygen in my room
I know I live in one of the polluted city in the world, but it was just worse a few times during the Anti Candida Diet
It only happened a few short times only and usually I feel okay after a meal.
Is it a sign that I was dying ? ;p

You know how sometimes when you're asleep and you hear a loud bang and you suddenly woke up with your heart beating fast ?
Sometimes..... like twice during this Anti-Candida Diet, I woke up like that, without hearing the loud bang.
Not a good sign, is it ?
but I'm good now....

I suppose if I had to re-do the Anti Candida Diet again
I'll definitely consult my physician, do a proper blood test, stool culture test, etc
But honestly, I don't really trust doctors here and I don't know if they really know much about candidiasis or not
and my being a Vegan might even "confuse" them
I know.... doing this on my own is "crazy" but I'm okay and nothing bad happened.
But this is just me, don't do this on your own though.

-------------


WHITE TONGUE

I checked my tongue and it's healthy pink around the tip and middle part
but towards the inside, it was kinda whitish, although I don't think it's oral thrush
As usual, I just keep on checking it day by day during the Anti candida diet
It looked the same on day 3, day 4, day 6, day 10
I supposed it's just my normal tongue color, although I think it's less white on the last days, but I could just be
You know how you can scrape your tongue to help remove toxins (white substance) that builds up on your tongue.
well, I didn't... actually I did, once, with a spoon ;p
the scrapings was whitish creamy substance.... yuck I know, but I guess it's just the normal toxins build up
but the tongue remains whitish.... so....
But hey... I went for a regular check up at the dentist last week and if it was oral thrush, my dentist would've definitely notice it right away.

2 nov 09 - 3.58 am
I checked my tongue again and on the whitish part of the tongue
(base of tongue / the back part of the tongue)
now have red dots on it.... not much, just some red dots
http://beyondwellbeing.com/headaches/liver-wind.shtml
"Finally, red dots on the tongue can also indicate internal heat. You may find these spots specifically on one or both sides of the tongue"
I'm just paranoid, but are they just my normal tastebuds ?
okay....I think it's called circumvallate papillae

I don't know about this one
http://www.santa-fe-chiropractic.com/sayahh.html
"The normal healthy coating should be a thin white layer starting at the root of the tongue and thinning as it approaches the tip of the tongue.
A thick white coating over all the tongue indicates respiratory problems; the thicker the more extreme the condition"

White tongue can also be caused by dehydration or toxins build up
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/white-tongue/AN01696
http://searchwarp.com/swa15094.htm

White tongue can also be caused by internal heat (chinese medicine) in which we have to eat food with cooling properties.
it could also be caused by a weakening immune system
White tongue can also worsen if you have a cavity

-------------


When I eat mashed/puree raw garlic, It's just easy to swallow with some water
but sometimes ,
I get a slight headache/nausea for a few minutes, but it'll go awat by itself
recently, I concluded that it's probably because the garlic is stuck in the end of my oesophagus, just right before entering my stomach, I didn't drink a lot of water when I eat raw mashed garlic because I don't want to dilute the garlic, usually I'm fine after I take a bite of something, I think it helps "push" the garlic into my stomach. or maybe not...;p just a theory of mine.

Day 4 & 5
Soft supple cheek
Even though it seems like I haven't been sleeping enough, I don't look tired with panda eyes.
Just some tiny bumps on my forehead which always shows up when I lack sleep.

During the diet, I was busy noting my progress and what I ate and how I felt physically
candida diet, food, weak
I forgot the most important thing
being happy, calm and prayers !!!

------------

and If I had to re-do this Anti Candida Diet
I'd rather not ;p
Why ?
it's time consuming to prepare all the food, and it's tiring to choose "wisely" what to eat and what not to eat,
it's time consuming to do the research ;p
it's time consuming to document the Anti Candida Diet
I'd rather be responsible in what I eat and control my sugar (or fat) intake all my life ;p
but it was good to do this on my own and learn more about myself and discover new things.
I now find that it's okay not to be 100% Vegan and everything is connected.
thus The Healthy Life Diet
www.TheHealthyLifeDiet.com

The start of The Healthy Life Diet

Thursday, November 5, 2009

After doing the Anti-Candida Diet for 8 days, today is supposed to be the Anti-Candida Diet Day 9, but ..................

Today I'm starting my New Diet / Lifestyle
(actually it started on Nov 2, 2009, but it's official today ;p)
Let's just call it The Healthy Life Diet ;)
www.TheHealthy Life Diet.com
It's not even a Diet, it's more of a Lifestyle, because it's all connected.
but Hey... it needs a name ;p

Healthy Mind, Mood Happiness, Love, God Healthy daily routine.
Sleep early, Wake up early

Morning Sun

Exercise
it's important
It's Fun, it releases endorphin :)
it also makes you sweat and releases toxins.
Don't aim to lose weight, aim to have fun :D

Healthy Food
I'm still mostly Vegan and for now, I hope to stay Vegan by adding more raw vegetables.
BUT
I'm allowing some meat (fish, prawn, etc)
ONLY IF I really really want to and I can't get out of a situation where I have to eat them. and I won't feel guilty about it.
and still being candida-aware for now,
allowing sugar but in small amounts (coconut, fruits, complex carbs)
But in time, I hope to always be aware to limit my sugar intake in a natural way that I never over indulge in anything and always be in control of what I eat.
That way I don't have to "limit" my sugar intake or whatever-food intake because I'll always listen to my body and be in control of what I eat.

and If I had to eat out, Most Restaurant Food equals MSG and requesting for "No MSG Please" is useless, trust me I know, but it's a good thing to always order "No MSG Please"
So.... I don't think I'll be eating in Restaurants any time soon.
but at least I'm not restricting myself, I can eat n not feel guilty, even if i have to eat at home all the time ;p
My housekeeper is a kick ass chef, so I'm good :)
but she's also cooks the old-school way and refuses to change, so sometimes she'd make a quick prawn stir-fry but she'd deep fry the prawns first for like 15 minutes, oh my... I've asked her not to time and time again, but..... oh well... I can always ask again :)
and.... ummm... she always cooks vegs a tad bit too soft and I need to constantly remind her and she doesn't understand why I buy organic vegetables .... so... yupp... a little problem in that area actually ;p
and she often cooks way too hot and spicy for me and when I told her not to... she said "I thought you like hot & spicy food" or "your mom told me to cook this spicy".... I don't know if she's starting to be forgetful or she just loves hot & spicy food. yes she eats what we eat, afterall she's been working for the family for 30 years now.

yup... of course a little part of me is scared of going out of control and start eating a lot of junk food again and I'm also worried about the limited number of healthier food choice available out there but I'll stay "awake" and be in control.
besides, my body will definitely let me know if I eat too much "junk".

I know I'll still be bringing my own food often when I go out, but at least I have more food options and not feel guilty, although I'll still be extremely picky about what food I eat :) but it just feels liberating now.
but still picky..... ;p

My being a Vegan makes me have a constant weight.
and I feel light all the time, I feel good.
I believe this new Healthy Life Diet will also give me a constant healthy weight, and a healthy mind and body :)

So Embrace The Healthy Life Diet :D


Today would probably the Last Day that I'm noting all my food (still candida aware) and uploading it here, it does take a lot of time :) but it was fun, although time consuming ;p

6. 45 am woke up
2/4 small granny smith apple & 1/4 avocado
10 am finished eating

This is what I ate for breakfast
- raw cucumber,
- raw okra,
- raw Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula Roxb) --> they're sweet and spongy
- sautée kangkung (Water Convolvulus)
- boiled winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolabus)
1 Mega Acidophilus capsule

12.40 pm finished lunch
- sautée kangkung (Water Convolvulus)
- boiled winged bean / kecipir (Psophocarpus tetragonolabus)
- muntahu (tofu dish with prawn bits and minced pork)
1 Kelp capsule
1 Garlic parsley capsule

1 - 2 pm Nap
2 - 2.30 pm 1/2 glass of coconut
Lunch
- Muntahu
- raw Ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula Roxb)
- boiled winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolabus)
I thought I wanted rice but after one little spoon of it, I just didn't want it
1/2 glass of coconut water
1/2 glass of lemon water
tummy kinda full - heavy, maybe coz of the muntahu.
Okay... no more tofu for the next few days.
I probably shouldn't be eating tofu at all during the Anti-Candida Diet anyway.

Last night, the right corner of my mouth cracked a bit....hurt a bit when I opened my mouth. Maybe I lack sleep, and also I have what the chinese say "internal heat" and that I'd need to eat food with cooling properties.
but in the morning (6 nov 09) it healed very nicely, I didn't even put anything on it.

5.20 pm 1 glass of coconut
7 pm I finished eating
Muntahu - againnnnn I knowwwwwwwwwwww
raw parsley + raw dill
raw cucumber, raw okras
mung bean soup
1/4 coconut water
1 Mega Acidophilus capsule

8.20 pm 1 glass of coconut
I ate a total of 1 coconut today
9.45 pm 1 small granny smith apple
10.30 pm I notice I've got quite a lot of whitehead on my nose area (yuck I know) probably it accumulated during the 1 week period or is because of the 3 meat-eating days ? I dunno
I gave myself a little facial and I'm good now :D
11 pm - midnite Sleep


6 Nov 09 -- just briefly.... I can't stop noting what I eat
morning - lemon water
10 am Finished eating
muntahu - yes I've been eating it everyday in small portions
mung bean soup
broccoli and carrot
10.30 am - 11 am kinda weak
ate 2/4 apple and mung bean soup
I was fine after that
Pre dinner - I ate vegs drizzled with olive oil
Dinner 1 whole coconut at 1 go
a little portion of grilled fish (ikan kuwe/kue) which I didn't like but I just had to eat it because I was eating with other family members and they put the fish on my plate and I just couldn't return the fish. I really didn't feel like eating that fish but I ate it anyway.
Later that night I ate some vegs and apple

7 Nov 09
I'm back to totally Vegan again

8 Nov 09
I started eating strawberries
I ate salmon & vegs & brown rice
I ate dragon fruit

9 Nov 09
I started gym woohooooooooo !!!!
so happy, so excited

I ate peanut sauce salad and crackers and rice
let me elaborate that
fried peanut, palm sugar, sweet soy sauce, fried crackers + msg, white carbs
but so happy ;p

I'm not 100% Vegan (for Now)

(decided 2 Nov 09)

Why ?

Most of the time I enjoy my Vegan food,
(both cooked and Raw/Living Foods)
BUT
- While I certainly don't miss the "full" feeling after eating non-Vegan food, I do miss sharing and "fighting over" for food with my families and friends who are non-Vegan.
This is what I wrote in a previous post :
Entering month 7 of being a Vegan, I probably started to lose motivation
I was alone during my Vegan months, I enjoy my Vegan meals, but no one to share it with, except at my blog :) and nobody support my being a Vegan. oohh poor me :) but I'm a tough one :D
and I sometimes feel kinda annoyed of the limited food choice I have when eating out and feel like I'm missing out, not on the food, but on spending time together sharing food at dinner tables.
You know how sometimes the best food is the one you have to fight over with your families/friends, when there's only one thing left on the plate with 5 hungry people staring at it. :)

- sometimes my lack of kitchen skill makes my Vegan food taste quite bland and I get bored.
I know I can add healthy tasty raw dressings to my salad, but sometimes I have no time, no knowledge of it yet nor the ingredients and I lack patience in the kitchen, even just for washing vegetables ;p
So I'm allowing more stuff for when I'm bored with my Vegan food and for when I really really want the other food so I can really really enjoy it so eating is not a chore and I can be happy.

I need that happy satisfied feeling at each meal.
thus THE HEALTHY LIFE DIET
www.TheHealthyLifeDiet.com

I'll still eat healthily, mostly Vegan with more raw/Living Foods,
but I'm at this point right now where I'm a Vegan and I totally feel good about it, but I sometimes secretly want some non-Vegan food, (due to numerous reasons) so I'm allowing small portions of good quality fish, prawns, etc if I feel that my body needs it and if I really really want to (and not on a daily basis)
and I'm not going to feel guilty about it and I'm going to enjoy my healthy food, share good times with families and friends and be thankful about it, add some happiness, exercise, morning sun, etc and Life's good, which is what the essence of The Healthy Life Diet is.
I'll definitely listen to my body and be in control of what I eat and importantly, I want to truly enjoy all my meals, Vegan or non Vegan.
Even if one day I went overboard eating a non-Vegan food, I know my body will let me know that I need more healthy vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds.
Hey.... I might not even want to eat a non Vegan food ever again after I wrote this, but at least the option is open for me.
This is my journey and this is where I am right now, and in the future I want to finally be able to go 100% Raw, maybe 95% ;) and totally feel satisfied with eating just Living Foods.

For now
I will try to eat more raw living foods and I don't know when I'll be back to being 100% Vegan again, maybe next week, maybe next month, maybe tomorrow... who knows :)
(At this point, still No refined carbs, refined sugar, Fried Food.)

- Vegetables - as much as possible is okay, more Raw please

I'll slowly incorporate these below in my diet only If I feel I need to, I'll listen to my body.
- Fruits - I'm not going to over indulge, I used to eat lots and lots of fruits in 1 day until my tummy goes big ;p but I know better now. I'll eat in smaller portions. Less sweet ones first.

- Complex Carbs & grains - maybe sweet potato, brown rice etc only in small portions, I'm starting gym and I'm scared of passing out during workout, although I've never passed out before.
(Update. I now bring coconut water to the gym instead of water, and I feel great at the gym :D)

- Soy - Tofu & Tempe - Also small portion and not daily
Soy may not be all that good for you but Tofu and Tempe is a staple food here since forever and I love them and I don't eat them everyday anyway.
- No dairy (not interested at this moment)
- Meat
Fish & Prawns - fresh good quality ones are allowed.
I'll be aware of the mercury level though, read here :
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm110591.htm
Lamb, Duck, Pork - maybe, we'll see if I really really want it.
Beef, chicken - not really interested

Chickens - we have available here chicken with no hormones, so it's much smaller in size, called ayam kampung (it literally means : village chicken)
some are free range and eat natural food, but you don't really know.
So I'll probably allow myself some of this chicken and eggs, but I don't really feel like it at the moment.

I might eat fish one day and stay Vegan for the next 5 days.
or I might eat not even want to eat fish and sweet potato and just eat vegs.
You know how your eyes get "hungry" ? ;p and your nose as well.
You see food and you smell food and you want it, even though you know it's bad for you.... So you eat and you feel bad afterwards (and oh the guilt).
I've been on that cycle before but I want to always be in control now. I'll listen to my body and not my eyes :) nor my nose (sense of smell) ;p
We all know what we need to eat but we tend to get tempted and eat "junk" instead. So we all need to really listen to our body, listen to what we really want to eat. Feel it, feel the vibration :) and you'll also feel good about it.
I'll always eat lots of vegs and choose what I eat healthily.
I might go back to being 100% Vegan, or I might not. I don't know.
but I'll still be "candida aware"
which means I'll restrict my sugar consumption (fruits, carbs)
and I'll still have my garlic, ginger tea, Probiotics, and other supplements.

--------------

and Maybe after a few weeks from now,
I'll allow myself to eat some of the "junk",
(occasionally or rarely ;p)
such as :
- Fried Food
Why ?
Reason no.1
Because I love Fried Tempeh so much !!! :)
but I'll be in control !!!
1 bite = 1 bite
2 bite = 2 bite
1 Fried Tempe makes me happy.
5 Fried Tempe makes my throat hurts, and my tummy all greasy and uncomfortable.

Reason no.2
Raw salad can sometimes be bland and boring.
Raw salad + crunchy Onion Rings bits is too die for :D
See... it makes me happy and I totally enjoy my food, which is a big factor.
If I had a dehydrator I might be able to make healthy raw chips from vegs, but I don't have a dehydrator right now, so.

- Sugar
Yupp... after all this time, I'm still tempted by Desserts
I'll still opt for the Traditional Vegan desserts for now though, non dairy and using palm sugar instead of refined sugar.
but I'll try to eat them rarely and in small portions !!!!
besides, if everyone else is enjoying a glass of cendol, instead of just staring at them, I can at least take 2 big spoonful of it :)
But if I can find a guy selling fruit salad nearby, I think I'm good :)

- Refined carbs
white rice, bread
maybe... not interested now
but in the future, also rarely and in small portions

- Cheese
I don't know at this point.
I love cheese in general, fresh mozzarella slices, manchego cheese, parmegiano, etc. Not those commercial cheese with preservatives and artificial colors and colorings.
But I don't think I'll be eating cheese anytime soon.

---------------

Now what I'm gonna eat is gonna be
Not too strict
Not too much Fuss.
but still healthy, I'm going to be picky and choose the best quality possible.
It actually feels kinda liberating, it's exciting ;)

I don't want to think about Food Food Food all the time.
My Life is going to be much more exciting than just day dreaming of what to eat for lunch, for dinner, etc.
and If I can prepare my food, I'll try to always prepare it whole heartedly and happily, even though I don't like being in the kitchen ;)
If I can't prepare my food (No time to prepare) and I have to eat what's available, which is just vegetable that's too soft or too salty, instead of sulking and eating with a bad mood, I'll just eat it & be thankful for the food that is served on my table and I'll try to enjoy it and cherish that meal time spent with friends and families, with a big sincere smile.

Can I be a NEW BREED OF FOODIE ??
Someone that's not entirely Vegan, but not eating animal products on a daily basis either. (only good quality ones)
Someone who's on a journey to maybe become a Vegan Raw Foodist but allowing guilt-free food temptations along the way.
Someone who listens to her body and who's in control of what she really needs to eat instead of "lusting" for unhealthy food.
Someone who's aware that it's not just about the food but it's about everything because everything is connected. (World, Environment, Life, Happiness, Exercise, Lifestyle, Grateful, Spirituality, Love, Friends, Families, Loving your Job, etc)
I'm ready for that interview, Oprah !! :)
Okay... one can always dream ;D
I know others are probably already doing this diet/lifestyle..... but it's just good to realize this on my own :) realizing my mistakes, what I'm missing, weighing the options, learning how to stay healthy but still enjoy Life and the company of Loved ones.
And how did I get here ?
I'm lucky that during my being a Vegan and my reading other people's websites and blogs, I've encountered a lot of good useful sites that are filled with ever-blooming information. So a Big Thankx to all of you out there :)
See... we're all connected.

And the most important thing is I
Enjoy the Food
Enjoy Dining with Families and Friends
Laugh out Loud
Exercise + Morning Sun
Purely Happy
stay "Awake" in Life, Positive Energy, Lot's of Love,
and Prayers in everything :)

I'll listen to my body, I'll be in control
and I'll keep on learning and open to new ideas.
It's THE HEALTHY LIFE DIET
www.TheHealthyLifeDiet.com