Natural Flexitarian

This morning my blood pressure was normal! I don’t know if it will decide to stay this way, but I will enjoy the nice reading while I got it. Yesterday I tried out some sprouted grain bread for breakfast. I ate it with scrambled eggs and melon. Then for lunch I had a veggie sandwich. Then dinner I barbecued a veggie whole wheat pizza. 117/71

I hate back stepping. I was doing so good. I had the same breakfast yesterday as the day before, therefore I didn’t bother taking a picture. Then lunch was a spinach and ice berg salad with tomato, turkey bacon and an egg, sprinkled with shredded cheese. But supper was my back step. I had promised weeks ago before my 21 days began to go out to dinner with my family for a celebration. Unfortunately it was at a restaurant with no healthy foods at all. No salads, no veggie burger, no grilled chicken. My only option was a hamburger or hot dog with fries. So I opted for a hamburger which I split with my daughter, and we all shared fries. So I did very well with portion control, but it was still filled with salt. So my blood pressure is up a little this morning. But it is life, and I will pick myself back up, brush the dust off myself and march foreword. 130/79

I was surprised I got the same blood pressure reading this morning as yesterday morning. For breakfast I had a couple of whole grain cinnamon banana muffins with strawberries. Lunch was a sweet potato with cottage cheese, Colby jack cheese and some corn chips. Then I had a panini for dinner with black beans on the side. 126/77

I feel like I should have included more vegetables in my meals yesterday. My sandwich for lunch did have spinach and tomatoes. But my dinner sandwich was just a fast peanut butter and jelly. I mowed and weeded the lawn yesterday and was feeling lazy at meal times. But all I can do know is move forward and be better today! 126/77

For breakfast yesterday I had whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter and melon. Lunch was the last of my left over spinach lasagna with a pickle. Dinner I sautéed lower sodium turkey bacon with peppers and onions, then wilted spinach in the pan. I then stirred in three cheese tortellini and topped it with some Parmesan cheese. 125/82

Yesterday I had old fashioned oats, with natural peanut butter and a banana. Then for lunch I had spinach lasagna with baby carrots. I forgot to take a picture of dinner, but I had a baked potato topped with sour cream and shredded cheese. 123/83

I finally got a descent reading this morning. It has helped me recover from the raised reading from yesterday. I am hopeful again that continuing on with my healthy eating will help me stay away from prescription medication. Yesterday for breakfast I had whole grain oat bread with natural peanut butter, with a side of cantaloupe. I didn’t get pics of lunch and dinner, but both meals I had spinach lasagna made with whole wheat noodles. The sides for lunch were a dry salad with tomato, cucumber and corn. And I had some mashed potatoes and jello. My side for dinner was carrots. Here is my breakfast pic: 125/78

I am feeling a little discouraged this morning, the blood pressure went up a little today instead of down. But being away from home over the weekend isn’t as easy to get all my vegetables in. Or maybe it is because of the lightly salted tortilla chips. Or maybe it is because of my crazy hormones still. I don’t know why it went up, but I am still fighting on. My lunch and dinner was the same yesterday, but here are the pics: 138/87

Three days down. I had oats made with natural peanut butter, 2%milk, natural peanut butter, and blueberries for breakfast. For lunch I had left over black beans and wild rice. Then for dinner I made a cauliflower crust pizza topped with sauce, onions, peppers, black olives, mushrooms, and cheese. 131/80

Day 2 went pretty good. I know that it will take time to see major healthy results. I can’t say my female issues are any better. But my blood pressure changed a little. It’s to early to say if food is helping, or if it is the fluctuation of the day. Either way, I like to see the blood pressure number going the right direction, even if it’s just the bottom number! Here are the pics of my main meals yesterday: 132/77

I have struggled with my blood pressure for years. But this past year has been a crazy health year for me. Needless to say after having surgery in October, and still dealing with female issues, and now with a Mirena pumping a steady flow of progesterone into my body. I don't feel well most of my days and my blood pressure is slowly creeping up. Being tired of feeling awful, I have decided to research how to once and for all take control of this blood pressure issue, without medication, and try to feel better all around. This brings me to my 21 day challenge. Already being a flexitarian, I plan on removing all processed junk food from my diet. I will be adding more vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and proteins. My challenge started yesterday. Here is the pics of my main meals I ate: Feel free to follow my journey, and stick around so we can continue a life long journey of being a natural flexitarian! 132/81