Dr. Shen didn't tell me to eat meat! I saw him today and he doesn't think meat is a good idea at all. I totally misunderstood him. He's from China and well, something was lost in the translation. NO MEAT NECCESSARY! Fish okay. Lots vegetables. Some fruit. He gave me an acupuncture treatment, a massage, and my weekly bag of herbs for tea. I feel so much better already.
Tomorrow my local Farmer's Market is open on the beach. I'll go get some fresh organic vegetables and fruits and return to my original plan. I'm so happy!
Lost that pound I gained over Christmas week. 20 pounds down and and my energy is heading back up to 5 or 6. I do need to sleep better and work on adding more time to my meditation practice.
Mantra: "I am radiant with the light of God."
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Three Week Vacation ....sort of.
It's been far too long an absence from journaling my experience but, frankly, I was a bit overwhelmed during the holidays. Most of it was good stuff but busy, busy, busy. The part that wasn't good stuff is the fact that the bathroom remodel is still not finished. My mother has Alzheimer's. She's 89 and losing her vision and her short term memory. She lives with me therefore I have become her primary caregiver. The reason I am remodeling the third floor suite is so her bathroom will be ADA Compliant, which is wheelchair accessible. I'm doing it so she can be safe and comfortable and so that I can hire someone to come in and easily take care of her. For now she's fretting over the mess and refusing to shower. The remodel was supposed to be done by Christmas but they're still working on it today. The HOA painting project is also not complete. I'm almost at the finish line but having those two projects going on during the holiday rush was almost more than I could take.
The golden light during the holidays was my family. I had everyone over here for Christmas Eve. Twenty friends and family came together in great holiday fashion. So much love to soak up. All of my nieces and nephews came with their babies and even ex husbands and old friends. At midnight the last of the guests had gone home and mom and I just sat in front of the tree and smiled.
Christmas Day was all about cleaning up from the night before and getting out to a movie. We saw "It's Complicated" which I loved and we had Christmas dinner at The Chart House. This is when my eating plan got bogged down. I had been too busy to see Dr.Shen so I didn't have my herbs. I had no time to get them before he left on vacation and so I just decided take the two weeks and let it be. I decided to just enjoy the family, the tradition and foods that go along with it.
The next day Shanon and the kids arrived from Arizona and we had Christmas all over again. It was great. I love my daughter so much. She's beautiful and smart and the best thing I've ever done. Sunday morning I had my first cup of coffee in 7 weeks. I like to have a morning coffee with Coffee Mate with Shanon. It's just a little something we can share. Just for the holidays. I'll be at her place in a few weeks and I will substitute the coffee with herb tea.
Sunday afternoon I had another party. This one was for Marlie's third birthday. We had cake and ice cream and watched her open gifts. She's really getting the hang of that. She's so cute. She said, "Grandma" for the first time. By Sunday evening we were eating beans and franks. I know.... isn't that just awful? Curiously I felt fine. It didn't throw my intestines into a panic at all. I was sort of surprised.
The rest of the week we played and ate like it was 2009. We had a wonderful time. We even celebrated New Year's Eve at Sea World. We ate churros and hot chocolate and I rode the very first roller coaster of my life. I swear!
I've been a very busy lady and had a wonderful time during the two weeks. I received so much joy from my family. We had a splendid time. It seemed natural to eat and drink whatever we wanted. We even roasted marshmallows in the fireplace. We read books and told stories, had bath time fun and walks in the rain.
Here's an interesting thing.....New Year's Eve I caught a cold. I had been off my supplements and juicing for almost 10 days. I wonder if I had stayed with it, if I would have been able fight off the germs. ???
The kids left three days ago and I've been in bed taking MucinexD and lots of water. I have bills to pay, errands to run and so many things left undone for too long...The tree has to come down the garage needs to be organized, the bookkeeping needs to get done I am ready for my regularly scheduled program of working and writing, teaching and sessions.
More good news. I've only gained 1 pound. I'm down 19.
My energy level yesterday, because of my cold was around 2 but today I'm feeling much better. I will go see Dr. Shen this afternoon and start back on my herbs and juicing. I intend to detox again and do the liver and gallbladder flush.
Oh! And....my readings are phenomenal. I thought I was too out of it to do a reading last week and was going to cancel it at the last minute but it wasn't necessary. The session was right on and I felt great as soon as we connected. Amazing.
Twenty Ten....is a great year for me. I will have freedom this year. My mother will be taken care of and I am now free to travel the country. I am grateful that I have been able to care for her as long as I have. It is my time to fly. It's my turn. I'm looking forward excitedly.
The golden light during the holidays was my family. I had everyone over here for Christmas Eve. Twenty friends and family came together in great holiday fashion. So much love to soak up. All of my nieces and nephews came with their babies and even ex husbands and old friends. At midnight the last of the guests had gone home and mom and I just sat in front of the tree and smiled.
Christmas Day was all about cleaning up from the night before and getting out to a movie. We saw "It's Complicated" which I loved and we had Christmas dinner at The Chart House. This is when my eating plan got bogged down. I had been too busy to see Dr.Shen so I didn't have my herbs. I had no time to get them before he left on vacation and so I just decided take the two weeks and let it be. I decided to just enjoy the family, the tradition and foods that go along with it.
The next day Shanon and the kids arrived from Arizona and we had Christmas all over again. It was great. I love my daughter so much. She's beautiful and smart and the best thing I've ever done. Sunday morning I had my first cup of coffee in 7 weeks. I like to have a morning coffee with Coffee Mate with Shanon. It's just a little something we can share. Just for the holidays. I'll be at her place in a few weeks and I will substitute the coffee with herb tea.
Sunday afternoon I had another party. This one was for Marlie's third birthday. We had cake and ice cream and watched her open gifts. She's really getting the hang of that. She's so cute. She said, "Grandma" for the first time. By Sunday evening we were eating beans and franks. I know.... isn't that just awful? Curiously I felt fine. It didn't throw my intestines into a panic at all. I was sort of surprised.
The rest of the week we played and ate like it was 2009. We had a wonderful time. We even celebrated New Year's Eve at Sea World. We ate churros and hot chocolate and I rode the very first roller coaster of my life. I swear!
I've been a very busy lady and had a wonderful time during the two weeks. I received so much joy from my family. We had a splendid time. It seemed natural to eat and drink whatever we wanted. We even roasted marshmallows in the fireplace. We read books and told stories, had bath time fun and walks in the rain.
Here's an interesting thing.....New Year's Eve I caught a cold. I had been off my supplements and juicing for almost 10 days. I wonder if I had stayed with it, if I would have been able fight off the germs. ???
The kids left three days ago and I've been in bed taking MucinexD and lots of water. I have bills to pay, errands to run and so many things left undone for too long...The tree has to come down the garage needs to be organized, the bookkeeping needs to get done I am ready for my regularly scheduled program of working and writing, teaching and sessions.
More good news. I've only gained 1 pound. I'm down 19.
My energy level yesterday, because of my cold was around 2 but today I'm feeling much better. I will go see Dr. Shen this afternoon and start back on my herbs and juicing. I intend to detox again and do the liver and gallbladder flush.
Oh! And....my readings are phenomenal. I thought I was too out of it to do a reading last week and was going to cancel it at the last minute but it wasn't necessary. The session was right on and I felt great as soon as we connected. Amazing.
Twenty Ten....is a great year for me. I will have freedom this year. My mother will be taken care of and I am now free to travel the country. I am grateful that I have been able to care for her as long as I have. It is my time to fly. It's my turn. I'm looking forward excitedly.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Starting Week 6
Dilemnas:
1. Dr.Shen believes I should eat meat. I am O positive and O positive people need meat, red meat. While this bit of information is good news on the one hand, it's not so good on the hand that loves the animals and doesn't want them to suffer. That would be the same hand that doesn't want to ingest commercially raised, hormone and antibiotic fed beef. And the environmental impact of eating beef is devastating.
2. Feeling overwhelmed with information about food and supplements. I've added so many supplements that I'm starting to avoid taking any at all. I missed three days this week of herbs and vitamins. Now I've added a product called Zrii because Deepak Chopra endorses it as good Ayurveda medicine. One ounce three times a day seemed like more than I could do this week. I also ordered a protein powder from the same company to be used as a meal replacement. I was encouraged to replace two meals with this powder mixed with water or juice. I didn't like it. I felt deprived and it felt unnatural. Once in awhile, in an emergency I can see it, but as a lifestyle? I think not.
3. Juicing isn't as satisfying on cold rainy days. I want something hot, like oatmeal. But, what about my pH?
4. I went to California Pizza Kitchen for their Field Green salad the other day. The waitress put three menus on the table, one for wines, one for food and one was actually a nutritional information chart on each of the foods they serve. I looked up the the Field Green Salad and was shocked to see how many calories are in it. The bottom line to weight management is 'calories in, calories out'. I have a pretty good metabolism but if I want to drop pounds I need to eat about 1500 calories a day. I'm not calorie conscious so I bought a book, a dictionary on calories in everything even fast food. I also bought a digital scale that will calculate totals according the weight of just about any food you can imagine. I haven't learned how to use it yet. Note to self: Must study instruction manual.
It has been feeling like my health conscious devotion has taken over my life. I'm having to think too much about it. This is not the balance I am seeking. In fact,this feeling of overwhelm is a slippery slope to surrender. But I'm not about to surrender. So....I asked GUS, Great Universal Spirit, "What's a girl to do?". The answer was, "Trust your INTUITION". If you know me at all this must make you laugh right out loud. I teach classes on trusting intuition. I've been teaching about the importance of communicating with the divine energy that is our higher mind and trusting that communication, for not months, but years. So, go ahead and have a good laugh. I sure did. How could I possibly have missed this important aspect of intuition? The body's natural ability to vibrate with what it needs and how much of it it wants is basic 101 Self Care.
I've been an advocate of applied kinesiology, muscle testing, since 1992. I believe our bodies will resonate vibrationally a yes or no frequency that will strengthen or weaken our muscles. I know this is controversial and untested but it has never failed me.
Also, using the fuel gauge technique of holding your hand over your belly and testing to see where on the gauge your fuel level is. 1 being empty and 10 being stuffed. If we keep the gauge between 4 and 6 or 7, we will have a steady and balanced appetite. Never too hungry, which leads to poor choices and too many calories and never allowing it to go above 7, which leads to disease and dysfunction. Simple enough. That's intuitive eating.
Tomorrow is Monday, the beginning of week 6 on my journey to radiant health. I have two weeks of regular foods before I go on another round of detoxing and the full blown liver gallbladder cleanse. I will be mindful of testing foods and amounts as I carry on from here.
Energy level is 7 today.
Pounds lost: 17
1. Dr.Shen believes I should eat meat. I am O positive and O positive people need meat, red meat. While this bit of information is good news on the one hand, it's not so good on the hand that loves the animals and doesn't want them to suffer. That would be the same hand that doesn't want to ingest commercially raised, hormone and antibiotic fed beef. And the environmental impact of eating beef is devastating.
2. Feeling overwhelmed with information about food and supplements. I've added so many supplements that I'm starting to avoid taking any at all. I missed three days this week of herbs and vitamins. Now I've added a product called Zrii because Deepak Chopra endorses it as good Ayurveda medicine. One ounce three times a day seemed like more than I could do this week. I also ordered a protein powder from the same company to be used as a meal replacement. I was encouraged to replace two meals with this powder mixed with water or juice. I didn't like it. I felt deprived and it felt unnatural. Once in awhile, in an emergency I can see it, but as a lifestyle? I think not.
3. Juicing isn't as satisfying on cold rainy days. I want something hot, like oatmeal. But, what about my pH?
4. I went to California Pizza Kitchen for their Field Green salad the other day. The waitress put three menus on the table, one for wines, one for food and one was actually a nutritional information chart on each of the foods they serve. I looked up the the Field Green Salad and was shocked to see how many calories are in it. The bottom line to weight management is 'calories in, calories out'. I have a pretty good metabolism but if I want to drop pounds I need to eat about 1500 calories a day. I'm not calorie conscious so I bought a book, a dictionary on calories in everything even fast food. I also bought a digital scale that will calculate totals according the weight of just about any food you can imagine. I haven't learned how to use it yet. Note to self: Must study instruction manual.
It has been feeling like my health conscious devotion has taken over my life. I'm having to think too much about it. This is not the balance I am seeking. In fact,this feeling of overwhelm is a slippery slope to surrender. But I'm not about to surrender. So....I asked GUS, Great Universal Spirit, "What's a girl to do?". The answer was, "Trust your INTUITION". If you know me at all this must make you laugh right out loud. I teach classes on trusting intuition. I've been teaching about the importance of communicating with the divine energy that is our higher mind and trusting that communication, for not months, but years. So, go ahead and have a good laugh. I sure did. How could I possibly have missed this important aspect of intuition? The body's natural ability to vibrate with what it needs and how much of it it wants is basic 101 Self Care.
I've been an advocate of applied kinesiology, muscle testing, since 1992. I believe our bodies will resonate vibrationally a yes or no frequency that will strengthen or weaken our muscles. I know this is controversial and untested but it has never failed me.
Also, using the fuel gauge technique of holding your hand over your belly and testing to see where on the gauge your fuel level is. 1 being empty and 10 being stuffed. If we keep the gauge between 4 and 6 or 7, we will have a steady and balanced appetite. Never too hungry, which leads to poor choices and too many calories and never allowing it to go above 7, which leads to disease and dysfunction. Simple enough. That's intuitive eating.
Tomorrow is Monday, the beginning of week 6 on my journey to radiant health. I have two weeks of regular foods before I go on another round of detoxing and the full blown liver gallbladder cleanse. I will be mindful of testing foods and amounts as I carry on from here.
Energy level is 7 today.
Pounds lost: 17
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Sunday Day 32
It's cold here. Really cold. 50 degrees may not seem cold to those living in Idyllwild, or New Jersey but my toes are freezing. I've turned on the heater and I have socks on my feet and put on my old red cashmere robe. I've lost the belt to it and it has a few little holes but it's so warm. It'll do just fine.
Sundays, in my family, usually meant a special breakfast of my grandmother's Oh Boy Waffles served with bacon, eggs and orange juice. My grandmother's recipe calls for one cup of melted shortening. Can you imagine? White flour, melted shortening, salt, baking soda, sugar, eggs, milk or cream all whipped up into a smooth batter. Mom would put more shortening on the waffle iron to prevent sticking and serve them golden brown with butter and syrup. I remember this today because I was feeling rather nostalgic when I went into the kitchen on this cold Sunday morning. I wanted to pull down the Bisquick box and whip up a batch of pancakes.
I made my weekly calls to my sisters and when I asked Linda what she was doing she said she was making Oh Boy Waffles for her family. It's the only way to get all of her kids to come over on Sunday mornings. I've been thinking a lot about the way I used to eat. I was the Queen of Cheeseburger. Since I was a little kid it's all I would eat. No pickles, no tomatoes, no mustard, just meat, cheese, bun and special sauce. As a teen I ate at Jack In The Box every chance I got. I'd order the Jumbo Jack with extra secret sauce. You can keep the french fries, just give me a burger with a diet coke. Later the Whopper became my burger of choice, then Hennessey's Bar and Grill's cheddar burger with guacamole and salsa.
I was also the Goddess of the Rib Eye steak, medium rare. Houston's and Macaroni Grill have the best rib eye's in town. And let's not forget the baby back ribs from Chicago for Ribs, delivered to my door and the carne asada taco's at Taco's Amigos while out running errands. How am I not dead? Really. How have I not dropped dead from a heart attack? Butter on my toast, cream in my coffee, and sour cream on my potatoes. It's not that I didn't know how bad it was for me. I just didn't care. I wanted the pleasure of the taste. Every good cook knows butter makes everything taste better. Just ask Julia.
I dropped by my sister Sharon's house yesterday and it was like a mine field with sweet goodies everywhere. Her husband buys a box of donuts everyday. He cooks fried potatoes and chorizo and eggs. He bakes cookies and cakes because their granddaughter loves them. There are bowls of candy everywhere. I wouldn't have noticed it except ...well...now I do.
My sister Vicky has recently been diagnosed with diabetes. She's learning from a nutritionist what she needs to do to keep her blood sugar level but it isn't easy. She's lost 50 pounds and has about 75 more to go. It's crazy what we have done to ourselves for the pleasure of briefly tasting foods.
Sundays are the hardest for me. It's traditional to eat through a football game. We fill our coffee tables with chips and dips, big sandwiches filled with meats and cheeses, bowls of goodies to help us cheer on our favorite team, all downed with cold beer. Pizza, calzones and fried chicken. This all seems so disgusting now.
Here is my dilemma for this week. Cucumbers are now out of season. I went to our farmer's market yesterday and couldn't find one cucumber. This mornings juice just wasn't the same. I've added ginger to my juice and discovered quickly that a little ginger goes a long way. I'm beginning to get bored with my limited vegetarian recipes. I need to search out new ideas for juicing and new recipes to keep my taste buds happy. Winter had come to Redondo Beach and with it a desire for chili, stews, soups and cassaroles. Today is research day.
I had one more mini Akashic Field Therapy session with Valerie Elster this week. Tomorrow I see Dr. Shen for acupuncture and more herbs.
My energy is holding steady at 8 and I've lost a total of 18 pounds. Onward and upward.
Sundays, in my family, usually meant a special breakfast of my grandmother's Oh Boy Waffles served with bacon, eggs and orange juice. My grandmother's recipe calls for one cup of melted shortening. Can you imagine? White flour, melted shortening, salt, baking soda, sugar, eggs, milk or cream all whipped up into a smooth batter. Mom would put more shortening on the waffle iron to prevent sticking and serve them golden brown with butter and syrup. I remember this today because I was feeling rather nostalgic when I went into the kitchen on this cold Sunday morning. I wanted to pull down the Bisquick box and whip up a batch of pancakes.
I made my weekly calls to my sisters and when I asked Linda what she was doing she said she was making Oh Boy Waffles for her family. It's the only way to get all of her kids to come over on Sunday mornings. I've been thinking a lot about the way I used to eat. I was the Queen of Cheeseburger. Since I was a little kid it's all I would eat. No pickles, no tomatoes, no mustard, just meat, cheese, bun and special sauce. As a teen I ate at Jack In The Box every chance I got. I'd order the Jumbo Jack with extra secret sauce. You can keep the french fries, just give me a burger with a diet coke. Later the Whopper became my burger of choice, then Hennessey's Bar and Grill's cheddar burger with guacamole and salsa.
I was also the Goddess of the Rib Eye steak, medium rare. Houston's and Macaroni Grill have the best rib eye's in town. And let's not forget the baby back ribs from Chicago for Ribs, delivered to my door and the carne asada taco's at Taco's Amigos while out running errands. How am I not dead? Really. How have I not dropped dead from a heart attack? Butter on my toast, cream in my coffee, and sour cream on my potatoes. It's not that I didn't know how bad it was for me. I just didn't care. I wanted the pleasure of the taste. Every good cook knows butter makes everything taste better. Just ask Julia.
I dropped by my sister Sharon's house yesterday and it was like a mine field with sweet goodies everywhere. Her husband buys a box of donuts everyday. He cooks fried potatoes and chorizo and eggs. He bakes cookies and cakes because their granddaughter loves them. There are bowls of candy everywhere. I wouldn't have noticed it except ...well...now I do.
My sister Vicky has recently been diagnosed with diabetes. She's learning from a nutritionist what she needs to do to keep her blood sugar level but it isn't easy. She's lost 50 pounds and has about 75 more to go. It's crazy what we have done to ourselves for the pleasure of briefly tasting foods.
Sundays are the hardest for me. It's traditional to eat through a football game. We fill our coffee tables with chips and dips, big sandwiches filled with meats and cheeses, bowls of goodies to help us cheer on our favorite team, all downed with cold beer. Pizza, calzones and fried chicken. This all seems so disgusting now.
Here is my dilemma for this week. Cucumbers are now out of season. I went to our farmer's market yesterday and couldn't find one cucumber. This mornings juice just wasn't the same. I've added ginger to my juice and discovered quickly that a little ginger goes a long way. I'm beginning to get bored with my limited vegetarian recipes. I need to search out new ideas for juicing and new recipes to keep my taste buds happy. Winter had come to Redondo Beach and with it a desire for chili, stews, soups and cassaroles. Today is research day.
I had one more mini Akashic Field Therapy session with Valerie Elster this week. Tomorrow I see Dr. Shen for acupuncture and more herbs.
My energy is holding steady at 8 and I've lost a total of 18 pounds. Onward and upward.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Four Weeks Today!
Let me take a moment to pat myself on my back. Four weeks with eating an animal. Four weeks of juicing organic veggies for breakfast. Four weeks of drinking lots of water. Four weeks of supplements, and nastyass tea. I've lost 16 pounds, but that's not the point, just a happy side effect. Point being, I'm feeling healthier and more energetic. I'm sleeping better and my level of patience has grown exponentially. I feel happier, and I was happy to begin with. It's all good.
There are stressors all around me and I'm not taking the bait. My mother has asked for me to bake Christmas cookies and I'm so not likely to be able to do that without eating them. But, I found a solution. She loves coconut and I hate it. I'll make coconut cookies and then she can have that smell in the house she so misses and eat all she wants and I won't be in the least bit tempted.
The remodeling contractor began demolition on Monday and the exterior painters have completed the front building and are now painting the back one. It looks great. Our sump pump went out over the weekend and I've had plumbers, electricians and pump specialists in and out for three days. I've lost my bank card and my car really needs to be cleaned out, as does the garage. But, I'm mellow yellow Baby, and loving my life. How strange is that?
Can't wait to see blood work.
Energy is very high today....I walked three miles yesterday and my butt feels it. I'll go out again in la manana.
There are stressors all around me and I'm not taking the bait. My mother has asked for me to bake Christmas cookies and I'm so not likely to be able to do that without eating them. But, I found a solution. She loves coconut and I hate it. I'll make coconut cookies and then she can have that smell in the house she so misses and eat all she wants and I won't be in the least bit tempted.
The remodeling contractor began demolition on Monday and the exterior painters have completed the front building and are now painting the back one. It looks great. Our sump pump went out over the weekend and I've had plumbers, electricians and pump specialists in and out for three days. I've lost my bank card and my car really needs to be cleaned out, as does the garage. But, I'm mellow yellow Baby, and loving my life. How strange is that?
Can't wait to see blood work.
Energy is very high today....I walked three miles yesterday and my butt feels it. I'll go out again in la manana.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Invictus
OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Day 22, Thanksgiving Day
Like most Americans, Thanksgiving Day is my favorite food day. Turkey, gravy, creamy, buttery mashed potatoes, stuffing, candied yams and my favorite dessert of all time, pumpkin pie fills me with not only yummy flavors and warm memories, but with an abundance of gallbladder trouble.
This year I steamed broccoli and asparagus and made two big bowls of mashed potatoes. One for the fully loaded, high octane fat lovers, made with half and half and a half a pound of real creamery butter. And, one made with non-fat milk and no butter. Frankly, they were both delicious. I passed on the stuffing, gravy, turkey, candied yams and dessert. I ate my veggies wishing I had prepared something with more imagination. I've decided it's time to get creative. I want more flavor. Today, I'm off to Barnes and Noble to find cookbooks for healthy, vegetarian eating. I recognise that our bodies need a healthy amount of good oils for our skin, hair, nails to be beautiful and our brains to function optimally, so I'm looking for flavorful options to the fully loaded kinds of fat.
What I did notice about my Thanksgiving Day this year is that I was much more focused on the love in the room than on the food in the room. There was a light that shined on my family this year. My 25 year old niece told me she hoped she could be as good an aunt to her new baby nephew as I have been to her. She wiped her tears as she snuggled up to me on the couch. A distant relative came from Kentucky and shared stories he remembered from his childhood that I had forgotten. He shared love back with us he had received from us as a young boy. It was the most loving Thanksgiving Day I can remember having. Did I change? Was the love always there and I was just too busy focusing on the business of preparing foods to notice? I am calmer. I feel less anxious. I feel different. Is it the food changes I've made or is it something greater? Maybe both.
Pounds lost: 15
Energy level: 8
This year I steamed broccoli and asparagus and made two big bowls of mashed potatoes. One for the fully loaded, high octane fat lovers, made with half and half and a half a pound of real creamery butter. And, one made with non-fat milk and no butter. Frankly, they were both delicious. I passed on the stuffing, gravy, turkey, candied yams and dessert. I ate my veggies wishing I had prepared something with more imagination. I've decided it's time to get creative. I want more flavor. Today, I'm off to Barnes and Noble to find cookbooks for healthy, vegetarian eating. I recognise that our bodies need a healthy amount of good oils for our skin, hair, nails to be beautiful and our brains to function optimally, so I'm looking for flavorful options to the fully loaded kinds of fat.
What I did notice about my Thanksgiving Day this year is that I was much more focused on the love in the room than on the food in the room. There was a light that shined on my family this year. My 25 year old niece told me she hoped she could be as good an aunt to her new baby nephew as I have been to her. She wiped her tears as she snuggled up to me on the couch. A distant relative came from Kentucky and shared stories he remembered from his childhood that I had forgotten. He shared love back with us he had received from us as a young boy. It was the most loving Thanksgiving Day I can remember having. Did I change? Was the love always there and I was just too busy focusing on the business of preparing foods to notice? I am calmer. I feel less anxious. I feel different. Is it the food changes I've made or is it something greater? Maybe both.
Pounds lost: 15
Energy level: 8
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