LA VALLEUR COMMUNICATES: Musings By Barbara La Valleur — Early Results

A note to Fish readers: On Jan. 2, I began a nutrition plan complete with a certified nutritionist coach. After learning that I’m a journalist and blogger, she invited me to blog about my experiences. The following, written Jan. 25, is the second of two month’s of weekly blogs that first appeared on the international Metabolic Balance® website. Unheralded.fish will run the first eight blogs in the next two weeks to “catch up.”

Given I’m only in my third week on the Metabolic Balance® program, I’m very surprised and quite thrilled ― with the results I’ve already had. Going into the plan, I had no expectation that the response of my body would be so swift and profound. And while you may not have the same experience that I’ve had, I’d like to share what I’ve noticed in just these first 19 days.

The biggest thing I’ve observed is that since completing the two-day cleanse I started on Jan. 2, “I have not had any shooting arthritic pains in my hands.” Previous to starting MB®, that was certainly a daily occurrence.

When I asked my MB® coach Christine about it, she said it is because of what I’m eating and she’s right. I would also add it’s because of what I’m NOT eating: food that tends to inflame joints. I am not a nutritionist, so I don’t know what those foods are, but I plan to check it out.

Learning to like lentils. In all my 70 years, I can’t remember ever eating lentils before. What a delightful surprise that I enjoy them! This dish also features sautéd onions, celery, carrots and green bell peppers along with 2 Ryvita Crunch Dark Wholegrain Rye Crispbread and water.

I’m 70 years old and aging. While people tell me I don’t look “that old,” I certainly don’t feel “that old.” I’m very active in my community serving on the local Arts and Culture Commission and as Chair of Public Art Edina, Minn., as well as volunteering at my church and with several other organizations. So I keep very busy despite being retired.

While the MB® may seem “complicated” at first glance ― I sure thought so ― I’m adjusting to the program extremely well. I’m the type of person that when I take something on, I do it with resolve! I keep to the three days of “Suggested Meal Plans.” I’m reminded of one of my favorite German phrases from when I lived there: Wenn schön, den schön. Translation: If you’re going to do it, do it right!

Another surprising result in these first 19 days is “I’ve experienced zero hunger pains between meals.” That’s wonderful! I don’t think about food in between meals either.

There are very few items on my Personal Food List for proteins, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables that I don’t like or enjoy eating. And because the suggested food lists have many options ― 16 types of fish, 32 different veggies, four kinds of cheeses etc. ― it’s easy to fix meals that I find tasty and filling.

Breakfast: Fromager d’Affinois Florette Goat Brie, Ryvita Crunch Dark Wholegrain Rye Crispbread, green pepper, cherry tomatoes, a Honeycrisp apple, morning pills and water. I also have 2.5 cups of coffee, which is not pictured.

This is a photo of what I had for breakfast or as I like to call it, brekkies: Fromager d’Affinois Florette Goat’s Milk Cheese, half a green pepper, a Honeycrisp apple, two slices of Ryvita, coffee and water.

My Results: No more shooting arthritis pain in my hands. No more hunger pains between meals.

Tip: Arranging the food on your plate attractively adds to the joy of your eating experience.