throwing out the cookbooks

[lbrowne]

I'm throwing out my old cookbooks today. Those ones with the recipes for cakes, cookies, biscuits and other junk that I don't need and am no longer going to make. I don't care who I got the recipe from and I don't care if any are old family favorites that will be lost forever. Carby food does not equal love.

I have been fighting for much too long now to get back up on the wagon. Whatever it takes is my motto now!!! Seriously. I am sick of being addicted to carbs, of starting and sliding back, of not having the energy I need, of wearing the same few clothes because nothing else fits and I refuse to shop until it's for smaller sizes, not larger ones.

Scrambled eggs with onion, peppers and cheddar for breakfast today and leftovers for a later snack, steak and veggies for lunch, and a cold flax pancake made a few days ago with a bit of SF whipped cream. Took my vitamins. 3 quarts of water so far. Small meals, good meals, and I'm probably done eating for the day. Buying salad fixings tomorrow.

Now to the pantry to toss out the rest of the old cookbooks. I've dumped most of them over the years, but now the rest of the non-healthy ones are going. I have a few that feature veggies, meats, cheeses with bright photos. Those are the only ones that are staying.

I'm also going to start writing down Atkins-friendly recipes and put them into my recipe binder. I don't need to write them down because most are simple and I know them by heart, but I want something to replace what I'm throwing out and to give me ideas if I'm ever struggling again.

~ Linda

[eclectikat]

Re: throwing out the cookbooks

I have just recently done the same. I am a horder by nature. NOT like on Oprah... but I like collecting. I have clipped recipee's for years. In fact I just loaded up my entire Martha Stewart Magazine collection (15 years worth) into my car to deliver to a highschool home economics teacher. I loved her recipee's and knowledge of food. I am a cook by nature. But turned that corner and realized the importance and symbolism of purging your life of things that tie you to old habits and patterns. I am a different person now than 6 months ago... for many reasons, but one of the biggest is that I have have jumped the obesity ship to see total health...and keeping those books and magazines are only an obstacle to who I know myself to be...
SO! OFF with their heads I say!!!

COngrats on making your own statement. Your new you will appreciate the effort.

I also appreciate the idea of making my own cook book.. that is a good project for me for the rainy/snowy days ahead!

Kath

[lbrowne]

Re: throwing out the cookbooks

This is FUN! I'm ripping out healthy recipes as I go. Ideas for dips, appetizers, oven baked omletes, veggies and even have found recipes for tea, sun tea and egg coffee.

[MojosRising]

Re: throwing out the cookbooks

Great idea on the 3ring binder... don't know why I haven't done that before! I am a terrible cook... maybe I just need some organization!

[redfoxglove]

Re: throwing out the cookbooks

Good work, good job, and inspiring self-statements from you women. Right on. I have recently started a 3-ring binder as well. I write down recipes from some of the cooking shows, and I tear them out of papers and magazines. It's fun.

[lbrowne]

Re: throwing out the cookbooks

Here's an idea for using a regular 3 ring binder:
Make a Personal Recipe Binder

Small and medium photo albums also work well (the kind with the slide-in clear pockets) and there are also albums like that specifically for recipes. I bought two recipe binders about 15 years ago. One was never used and is still empty. The other one was a tell-tale sign (or symptom?) of my problems. Only one recipe is now left in that one, and it was something I haven't made yet. I rarely used the recipes in it, but that rarely is too often for me.

I'm on a tight budget right now, but I think I'll put something like one of these on my Christmas wish list.

Recipe Organizers, Kitchen Organizers and Planners, Recipe Binders by C.R. Gibson

btw -- I realize that to many it seems more expensive to eat low carb, but I've had enough experience to realize I spend less overall because I'm eating less, not to mention getting more done, feeling better and warding off medical bills. Even with the rising cost of eggs, meat and cheese I can't afford NOT to be eating well.