Cabbage soup and Thanksgiving on IF

 

Cabbage Soup.  Filling, warm, comfort food.  And so good for us!  I put this together on Tuesday.  It will make a wonderful filling pre-feast day meal, paired with a protein.  The photo is the pot in progress.

I started experimenting with "Intermittent Fasting" as a regimen on Halloween (I've dropped a note here and there about it in the blog).  In any case, I'm currently fasting 15 hours with a 9 hour eating window, at least on the app, but have been pretty regularly achieving between 16 and 17 hours for the fast, and shortening the eating window.  

I generally have been starting my fast between 3 and 4 p.m.  Thanksgiving dinner will be at my son and his fiancé's home, at 3 p.m.  Consequently, some adjustments are being made.  I have extended my fast from yesterday so that I will break it in a little bit.  (approximately 10 a.m.)  That will shift the end of today's eating window to 7 p.m., and similarly shift the start of Thanksgiving Day's eating window to accommodate the festivities. 

I am in charge of the homemade pumpkin pie.  Like last year, it is my plan to bake that pie tomorrow before the feast.  No nibbling outside of the fasting window!  Should be a "piece of cake" as I've been making this particular recipe since I was in my teens.  I know it's good, don't need to taste test.

Oh, you want to know how this regimen is working?  I can say that the major goal of this effort was health, but losing a few pounds would be welcome.  I feel less bloated.  Not experiencing as much heart-burn (because I'm not eating the junk, nor as close to bedtime).  That means I am sleeping better, too.  The scale has also been kind.  From October 31st to this morning, I have shed the weight I gained in September and October.  Plus a smidge.  For a total of 9.3 pounds down.

Happy?  Yes, very.  But more because I feel like I'm just living life, not "dieting".  I'm recording the general content of meals and their timing, but not tracking precisely or counting nutritional content.  It's easier for me, at this phase of my life.

One thing observed is that I am essentially incorporating into this everything I have learned over the decades about nutrition and adding in more recent experience with specific foods where I didn't feel so great after eating.  Nothing is ever done in a vacuum, is it?

Here's wishing all my US Spark refugees a Thanksgiving filled with its original purpose:  gratitude.  Also as a bonus, with family members (born or chosen) and love.  For peaceful interactions, good food, and maybe a nice walk or romp with the kids, grandkids, or pets, depending on your situation.

Life is good.  Keep on Sparking!

🦃😋🍲🔥💖