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I've been pretty quiet here. Lately, I get home from teaching and can't seem to do much of anything, including writing a blog post. I have managed to fit a few creative projects into my days...and I need to do more.
What have you been creating lately?
I've been focusing on the things I've had to give up while doing this Cleanse as well as on my pursuit. This week, instead of focusing on those foods that I've been avoiding, I'm going to focus on new discoveries.
I forgot how much I like bok choy, stir fried with some broccoli and shrimp served over brown rice...yummy!
I don't like broccoli cooked as much as I like it raw.
I can't believe that I never had celery with peanut butter as a snack. Well maybe its because I don't like peanut butter BUT celery with Almond butter (yes, I know I'm weird) is one of my new favorite snacks.
I really enjoy cooking and this cleanse is making me cook more often and get creative. Still working on the creativity though :)
I am adding Cayenne Pepper to almost everything. That little zing makes everything taste better.
In Trader Joe's the other day the cashier was talking about using avocado in lieu of mayonnaise when making tuna. I stopped using mayo over a year ago so I thought I'd give it a try. It was good but still needed a little something...so I added some cayenne pepper!
Medjool Dates are the BEST THING EVER! How I never tried these before I don't know but now I am in love! Watch out avocados you have a new rival!
So those are some new discoveries this week. What about you? Anything new you want to share, any new recipes or ideas?
Don't forget to visit with Karen over at Journey Back to Self to see what she has learned this week.
And if you want to try the 21 Day Cleanse, go visit Melissa at Wellness with Melissa.
When I hear the word CLEANSE, I immediately think of those all liquid cleanses where you only drink lemon water and don't eat a thing. Or remember the cabbage one? Or the one where you only ate orange food? You may have the same reaction when you hear the word cleanse. Well this week I started a 21-day cleanse with my friend Melissa who is a Health & Wellness Coach. There are two reasons I am doing this cleanse. One, because Melissa asked me, and two, because I can still eat real food! Oh and three, because I already cut most of these foods out of my diet already so I didn't think it would be too difficult.
Here are a couple of things I have learned so far on this cleanse.
I still have 17 days to go on this cleanse, so it will be interesting what else comes up for me in the days to come.
Also on the health and wellness front, I had a great conversation with Karen over at Journey Back to Self yesterday and her recent health challenges. Go over to her blog and see what she has been facing these past couple of weeks.
And don't forget to check out my friend Melissa's blog, Wellness with Melissa!
It has been 2 weeks since I returned home from a trip to NYC and PA. I've tried to articulate what this trip was like, but its hard to put into words what time with your creative, inspiring girlfriends is like.
Sitting in a cool, old-school hotel lounge having cocktails and spying Armand Assante sitting at the next table.
Going to the same diner every morning for coffee and eggs.
Watching the skaters at Rockefeller Center than perusing the streets for bits of trash that seem interesting.
Kicking aside the trash every trip up and down those 3 flights of stairs to 'our' apartment.
Spending the evening watching Jonatha perform, while looking out on Columbus Circle, with some of your dearest friends.
Giggling into the night.
Being helped up from a pretty scary fall with only a bruised knee and torn jeans. Then walking into the museum and being handed a bandaid at the exact moment the scrape started to bleed.
Discussing a fun project that could turn into something great and be the exact thing that propels me forward.
Getting a massage from a guy who used to be a welder and changed careers in his 50's (I'm guessing on the age), showing me its never too late to pursue a dream.
Spending time with friends who I don't see often enough and yet it feels like we just saw each other yesterday.
Eating good food, drinking good wine and laughing...alot.
Its sort of like that....
Last week I spent several days in NYC with some wonderful friends, including the lovely Karen over at Journey Back to Self. We ate, we drank, we walked, we talked and we laughed...alot! I then headed to PA, to spend time with more wonderful friends and continued to eat and drink...alot!
I love traveling and spending time with friends and when I get in social situations tend to throw my healthy eating habits out the door. Its not like I ate donuts AND ice cream (that was someone else who shall remain nameless), but I did indulge in a bit of wine and cheese and chips and guacamole and margaritas, oh the margaritas! I did not have toast with my morning eggs but did have diner coffee every day.
All of this to say that sometimes its hard to stick to your guns and its OK to indulge once in awhile. I did put on a pound or two while on vacation and while I did try to order healthy meals off the menu (salad, egg white omelet, fish), I find it harder to stay on the healthy path while traveling.
I'm not sure where I'm going with this or what lesson to take away other than life is meant to be enjoyed! And well I truly enjoyed my vacation to NYC and PA, spent with great friends, eating good food, drinking good wine and laughing...and laughing...and laughing some more.
I missed my post on Friday and now its Monday so that accounts for the 6.3.
This past week was a bit of a downslide for me. I ate out more than usual including a hamburger and fries that tasted great but a few hours later made me feel sluggish. I had chicken pot pie that was delicious and a brownie sundae with my sister. I had beer and wine and more cheese than normal.
I am noticing more and more how various foods make me feel. I am learning what gives me energy and what saps it, what makes me bloated and what fills the hunger without any side effects. I feel like I have a long way to go but one step at a time.
Since I am heading out of town for the rest of the week I'm sure I will be tempted with all types of foods I've been avoiding...that's what happens when you go on vacation. I am sure that I'll have a lot to share when I return next week.
Until then, check in with Karen at Journey Back to Self and please feel free to share your journey here.
Even though I haven't been taking many photos recently I wanted to get back in on the lovely Bella's 52 Photos Project. I looked through some photos from the past couple of months and found a few where I got really close. I love playing with the macro function and would really like to get a macro lens but that's just not in the cards right now.
I am hoping that Bella's prompts will get me to pull out my camera more often. I've missed taking photos.
Its a new year and I see all kinds of people making resolutions to get healthy, eat better, lose weight. At the Pilates studio, we are starting to see some new faces, people looking to turn over a new leaf. My cousins are starting a Biggest Loser contest amongst the family. Everyone on a pursuit to get healthy.
Karen over at Journey Back to Self and I started this pursuit to encourage each other but hope we can do that for you too.
The holidays were a bit of a challenge to eat healthy. I did give in to temptation a time or two...hello cheesecake. But I did learn a few things that I want to share.
The weight loss as remained pretty constant, around 8 pounds total to date, although I am feeling better physically so I'm not as concerned that the pounds aren't melting away.
How about you? Any revelations over the holidays? Anything new you have learned on your pursuit?
Please feel free to link here. And don't forget to go visit Karen to check out what she has to say this week.
definition: the state of being comfortable
a. freedom from pain or discomfort b. freedom from care c. freedom from labor or difficulty d. freedom from embarrassment or constraint
Over the past few years, I have not made resolutions but instead have focused on a word that encompasses what I want to bring to that new year. Last year, I chose two words, Trust and Balance. I worked a lot last year on trusting myself and others and bringing balance to my life. I'm still working on both of those.
This year when thinking of a word, I pondered a few but the one that stuck with me and kept playing over and over again in my head is EASE. Not Easy as in I want my life to be easy but Ease as in quit fighting so hard. Ease on down the road...don't make things harder then they need to be.
We will see what 2012 holds for all of us. I think its going to be a good year indeed. And I hope that all of you incorporate some EASE into your life too.
Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!
It has been a challenge the last week and a half to stay on track with my goals. I was traveling part of the time and this week has been busy getting ready for the holiday. I've been sleeping in late (or should I say oversleeping) every morning so my breakfasts this week have been protein bars (pictured above). I like these particular bars because they have 20 grams of protein and I don't know about you, but I need crave protein in the morning. And if I'm planning on getting a workout in, its a must. I would much rather enjoy some eggs or oatmeal with fruit and nuts but this week I've been rushed so these bars have done the trick.
I did indulge a bit while traveling in LA so my weight loss had a little set back. I enjoyed prosecco at the big book launch and fries with oysters which is Christine and my traditional meal. I have decided not to beat myself up about it because I enjoyed every single moment. I'm learning what food means to me, what it represents. I'm not quite ready to share that yet but I will very soon.
I'm learning some very interesting lessons on this pursuit and I can't wait to share more in the new year. I think I'll be taking a week off for the holidays and will see you back here in 2012!
Now go check out Karen's latest post as I think she has some good stuff to share.
And if you are joining us on this pursuit and want to share, be sure to link up here.
****The Giveaway winner is (drumroll please) Karen Delaney Dino aka Deldino! Congratulations! Christine will be in touch to ship off your extra special wall art!**** Today I am excited to have Christine Mason Miller here to share her new book, Desire to Inspire. Christine is my best friend and she has been inspiring me for the many years we have known each other, since the day she whipped up bigger than life silhouettes for the Virginia Tech Homecoming Dance in 1987! We became friends shortly after that day and I can't imagine a better BFF. Through the good times and bad, she is always an inspiration. I am so proud of her latest endeavor and cannot wait to hold this book in my own two hands. Check out a snippet here...
Christine Mason Miller’s latest book - Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World – is a collection of stories, exercises, images, quotes, and anecdotes from twenty extraordinary contributors, all sharing insights and experiences of how they create a meaningful life and, in turn, make a positive impact on the world. Each chapter discusses a different aspect of living a passion-fueled life, and this month Christine is offering a 60-Second Snapshot of each chapter as part of her Desire to Inspire Virtual Book Tour. Click here for all her online book tour dates!
Today Christine discusses Chapter 5 ~ Twists, Turns, and Other Beautiful Surprises
“The unpredictable nature of following dreams and creating a meaningful life is perhaps the only certainty that exists along these journeys. There are no guarantees in even the best laid-out plans; one way or another the details of life are going to trickle in and force me to re-evaluate, venture into unknown territory, or abandon certain items in my metaphorical backpack.” ~Desire to Inspire
Both of these statements are true, and beautiful for their own reasons:
My life has turned out exactly the way I dreamed it would.
My life has turned out nothing like I thought it would.
Leave a comment today through 5pm December 21st and be entered to win one of the three wall art pieces pictured below!
The winner will be selected at random and announced on December 22nd.
Christine Mason Miller is a Santa Monica-based artist, writer, and explorer. Her next book – Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World – is now available at bookstores everywhere and Amazon.com. Follow her adventures at www.christinemasonmiller.com.
As you read this post I will be in Los Angeles getting ready to attend the big launch party for Desire to Inspire. Another reason for this post on Thursday is that on Friday, Christine Mason Miller will be a guest here with a little snippet from her latest book, Desire to Inspire. There will be a Giveaway too so be sure to check back tomorrow!
Now on to my health observations since last Friday. Normally when I face a stressful situation, I eat whatever is quick and easy and I tend to add alcohol in the mix too. On Friday, when Allie got home from her surgery the first thing I thought was I need a glass of wine. I didn't necessarily want it though. I think there is a trigger in my head that says, you have stress then have a drink. Don't get me wrong, if I really wanted that drink I would have had it. Instead I had some sparkling water and celery with hummus. This was not the best meal to have either but it was far more healthy than pizza and beer. Again, I'm not saying that if I really wanted those things I would have denied myself, I'm just listening to my body more and realizing what I do and do not need or want to eat.
I haven't had coffee in a few weeks so on Saturday I thought I'd try a cup to see if I really missed it. I learned I didn't miss it one bit. The cup was not at all satisfying so I'll continue to drink my tea instead. I'm sure I'll try again at some point but for now, no coffee.
These past two weeks have been a great kick-off to eating healthier. I know when I get out to LA, I will have lots of temptations but with this foundation I am building, I will focus more on what feels right for me to eat or drink. I will pay less attention to what everyone else is doing and more on what works for me.
These lessons I'm learning about my eating habits can easily apply to all other aspects of my life. I'll focus more on that at a later date. Until then, I have dropped 2 more pounds since Friday. I like seeing the scale go down but I am less focused on that then how I feel. I am feeling so much better in the last two weeks than I have in quite awhile. I know I'm on the right track.
Don't forget to go check out Karen's latest post on Journey Back to Self and see how she's doing on her Pursuit to Healthfulness.
And if you have decided to join us and want to link to this post, please add your link below.
This is Allie post-surgery wearing her collar. You should have seen the first collar they gave us, it was 2.5" bigger than this one. Poor thing couldn't do anything in it. This one keeps her from licking her incision but she can still function fairly normally.
Last Wednesday, I discovered blood in Allie's urine which would be the 3rd time that's happened. The first two times we treated her with antibiotics and she was better for a little while. This time, my vet suggested x-rays to see if she had stones in her bladder. Sure enough that's what it was and they were able to take her in for surgery on Friday. Now I did not want to go the surgery route but looking at months of pain if we tried to dissolve it by changing her diet versus a week of discomfort, I did what I thought was best. And once I saw the stone they removed, I was glad we went this route...it was huge!
Allie's surgery has slowed us both down a bit. All my plans for the weekend were immediately cancelled and the two of us have cozied up at home for a bit of rest and recovery. There are so many things that need to get done, shopping for Christmas gifts, getting ready for my trip to LA, but there is nothing more important right now that making sure Allie gets better. Yes, I am still leaving for LA on Wednesday but by then she should almost be done with her meds and feeling close to normal. Lucky for me I have the best cat sitters in the world, Zoe & Bob, who will take great care of her...even though I do feel guilty for leaving.
If you had asked me seven years ago, if I would ever think of a pet like my family, I probably would have said, are you nuts? I grew up with pets who would arrive one day and be gone a short time later so I never had that bond. When my friends would talk about their pets and what they would do for them, I didn't get it. I thought they were a bit crazy, but now, I'm part of that group. One of those people who treats their pet like their child. Yup that's me...one of the crazy ones...and I wouldn't trade if for anything.
I have a love-hate relationship with the scale. Actually, I haven't owned a scale in years so the only time I know my weight is when I visit the doctor's office. And you know those scales are off by like 10 pounds right? So this week I went out and purchased a scale, its digital and has BIG numbers so I can read them.
Since I didn't purchase the scale until this week, I am going to start with the weight I had at the doctor's office and track my progress from there. As of this morning, I have lost 6 pounds since last Tuesday (10 days). It hasn't been too difficult to give up bread or the sugar. I put Agave in my tea and even though its probably got as many calories as sugar, I put much less in (about a tsp will do).
Some other changes I've made to my eating:
One of the biggest challenges I have encountered is coming up with healthy creative meals. My go-to meals are quinoa with just about anything, black beans, chicken, veggies, more quinoa or egg whites with spinach or black beans and rice. I try to spice things up with a little salsa, avocado but it gets boring. If you have any great recipes you want to share with as few ingredients as possible (the longer the recipe the less likely I'll make it), please do so.
Karen and I have had a lot of comments from you wanting to join us on this pursuit. If you want to share on your blog, we will be including a place for you to link to your blog posts on our sites. Also, if you need any support, please leave a comment here or send an email to melissa52767@yahoo.com. I will be happy to give you any support or tips that I can.
Don't forget to visit Karen at Journey Back to Self to see what she's been up to this week.
And please feel free to link to your blog posts about your pursuit below.
Last week I wrote about my latest physical and the need to lose weight and lower my cholesterol. I received lots of positive comments from you. A few said I look fine just the way I am. I appreciate the compliments and I don't disagree with you. I'm not unhappy with the way I look on the outside, but I am not happy with how I've been feeling physically on the inside. I've been feeling sluggish and bloated and knew that I was not eating the right things for me.
One of my lovely friends, Karen, and I decided to team up and support each other, and any of you who want to join in, on our pursuit of healthfulness. We will be posting once a week on our progress (or slip ups) and share any tips, recipes or other things that are working for us.
I can tell you a few things that seem to be working for me since I started last Wednesday. I have stopped eating bread and sugar and I can already feel less bloating and a little more pep in my step. Last night I had a holiday party and limited myself to one glass of wine and felt much better this morning for having done so. I treated myself to a small slice of pizza at the party and immediately felt some bloating in my hands so I know to stay away from that.
I know that what I do to change my eating may not work for you, but one thing that will work for all of us is to listen to your body. If you pay attention to how you feel after eating or drinking something, you'll know what to avoid or what to eat more often. That is my advice for today.
Now go check out Karen's blog to see what she has to share.
This week's photo prompt over at 52 Photos Project is Twinkling Lights.
In my last home, I had twinkling lights hung in my bedroom that I could turn on with the push of a button. In this new home, I put some up on my back deck but never turn them on for some reason. Well now that the holidays are here, I put up some twinkling icicles on my front porch that are on a timer. I love when they pop on around 5pm every evening. I may leave them up for a long time, think the neighbors will mind?!
I walked out in the biting cold to get the mail and had a lovely surprise from Christine. Its not a big surprise to receive mail from her since she's one of the few who still believes in snail mail. It was a lovely surprise to receive one of her cards*. Its kind of funny too because I was seeing pictures of some the cards she sent out and was feeling a wee bit jealous. I have many cards and notes she sent me over the years, so what in the heck was I feeling jealous about? As always though, she knew just what I needed at this moment. I adore this woman and am so thankful for her in my life!
*read about Christine's new tradition here.
Its a bit difficult to post this picture above as it was taken 6 years ago at almost my heaviest weight (yes I was actually a little heavier than this). I have always struggled with my weight which is why it was such a huge accomplishment to complete my Pilates training.
Today I had my annual physical and I have gained about 13 pounds over the last year and my cholesterol was a bit above normal. I am not near my heaviest weight (or my highest cholesterol number), but still I need to lose the weight. I've already got the exercise part pretty much down, the eating part is where I need to focus. Working out and eating properly are the only way I will lose weight.
As soon as the doctor sat down with me today I knew what she was going to say. She didn't even have to say it, just gave me that look and said you know what you need to do. I know exactly what I need to do, stop eating out so much and watch the bread and sugar. Its easy in theory but man I love food so its difficult in practice.
At this point in my life, its not about fitting into a certain size, its about being healthy. High blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes all run in my family so I know I need to be careful.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to post about my weight issues and that picture, oh my. In posting about it, I'm opening myself up to criticism and judgements BUT by putting it out there I must now hold myself accountable to get back to a more healthy weight and lower my cholesterol.
I'm going to start a "detox" tomorrow and not one of those lemon water/starvation ones, I can eat real food but cut out bread, sugar, coffee, alcohol and red meat for a week. Its a doable plan for me and I know if will kick start me to eating better.
I will be updating periodically here on my progress. Not sure I'll be posting pounds lost on a regular basis but we'll see how the updates pan out. And if anyone else out there needs a little nudge or support to get healthier, we can start our own little support group.
For 52 Photos Project, this week's prompt was something borrowed. I thought about all the things I have inside my house and I couldn't think of anything borrowed. I tend to return things pretty promptly after borrowing them.
I am renting my house, so it is technically "borrowed". This tire swing hanging in the yard is part of the "borrowed" house that I may not give it back!