Shed n’ Shred Week of 2022-02-07

[John Zombro]

Here we go in another week. Kati, thanks for all your great comments. Regarding the evening showers, I’d just keep it warm so that it doesn’t interfere with your sleep. Maybe try a mornin’ chillah’ once for kicks, though. This week I want to mess with portion control. The Japanese have a word (which I forgot) for stopping eating before you are stuffed. Basically, for us shredders, put just a tiny bit less on your plate than usual, slow down a bit, and wait a few minutes after finishing before considering getting more. Sometimes the calmnness and gratitude kicks in and you end up feeling satisfied. We are not trying to be anorexics here (not meant to be mean) just removing the rush and excess of modern society.

[John Zombro]

Let’s talk about plant toxins. We live in an era where we are taught to believe that you just can’t eat too many plants and that they are completely good for us. Well, my belief is that most of us can exist in the broad middle somewhere between vegans and carnivores. That stated, many plants have defense chemicals that can mess with your metabolic mojo. About the only free pass is ripe fruit, which the plant wants you to eat so the seed can be distributed and the species can propagate. Beyond that, we use knowledge and technology to denature plant lectins and phytates to make them more digestible and less offensive. Surviving and thriving are not the same. If you want to learn more, discuss, and debate…chime in.

[Bill]

Hey John, I notice that there are some vegetables that I always prefer. Perhaps my body knows it needs some nutrients from those vegetables and I should pay attention to what it needs(within reason). For example zucchinni and squash are what my appetite usually prefers. However when I am working out more, my preferences do change an that is probably normal because I am going to need more carbohydrates.
I have cut out tomatoes, even though I used to like them, and now after awhile I seem to have less joint aches. Take this with a grain of salt though because at the same time I also avoided cheese products at the same time.
Feel free to post anything on beans (especially pintos) as I have some dishes that I like to eat with those on the side.

[John Zombro]

Great stuff Bill and thank you. Yes, squash of most types are a good carb choice. They are nutrient rich and also easily digested, as they are technically fruits. Tomatoes are also a fruit, although they are in the nightshade category (waxy skins) which does provoke autoimmune and inflammation problems in some people. Same goes for dairy. About 65% of the population is either lactose intolerant or sensitive to the casein proteins in dairy. This is because the enzyme lactase usually disappears around age 4. Herder populations experience lactase persistence and can tolerate dairy. Beans can provide a nice variety to your diet. Soak and rinse, then pressure cook to denature the lectins (toxic antinutrients) and they are OK for most folks.

My tight pants are not yet loose, but they are less tight. This stuff works.

[Kati Hengel]

The hardest part of portion control for me is slowing down. I am definitely prone to feeling like I have to rush through a meal, partially because I love to eat, but also because my job is fast paced. Sometimes I don’t realize that I forgot to eat lunch so by the time I reach dinner it’s hard to slow myself b/c I’m famished. (That’s probably a bit dramatic) I really have to bring in that gratitude and mindfulness in. Love the info about plant toxins. I love nightshades and I wouldn’t be surprised if they mess with me a bit. I have heard that a lot of folks have issues with them?
Also squash is deeeeelicious.

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