So I should know by now that I can't control everything, and that plans don't always work out. I seriously underestimated the time it would take me to go to dinner with Amy, Momma Wright, Wesley, Beth and our boys, and then I spilled half my food on the floor as we were leaving IP. I just wanted to come home and cry and go to bed. Unfortunately, that's not really an option with my current calling, so I'll buck up and go to FHE instead (NOT at my favorite group either :()
Today's stats:
W: 136
E: essentrics a/a, walk to and from FHE, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: minestrone and green smoothie
S: 2 bananas
D: Channa Masala
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
"It's not practical"
I don't claim to have the answers to everything, or even anything really. But it's like I used to say when I taught at the MTC and was teaching missionaries about study journals: "You don't have to do it the way that I do, but this is what is working for me right now."
ETL is working for me right now. I'm not 100% oil-free, and I sometimes eat more than one serving of carbs in a day, or a bit of sugar (graham crackers), but I'm definitely plant-based, and I LOVE IT. I have more energy, don't get sick as often or nearly as severely, and feel just great!
I read on HH's blog today about a girl who had diabetes. Her doctors prescribed high-protein (animal protein) and low carb, but she kept getting sicker and sicker and fatter and fatter. Finally, a friend suggested she try a plant-based diet, which she did, and was able to go off of insulin.
When she told her doctor that she was eating a plant-based diet, and that her numbers we're improving, he said "that makes sense...we know that a plant-based diet will help reverse type 2 diabetes, but it's not practical." She was outraged that she'd never heard about plant-based options from her doctor, and that it was "practical" to be so sick that losing her leg was a viable future for her at the rate her health was deteriorating. She'd never been given the knowledge by her doctor that she needed to make an informed decision about nutritionally healing her diabetes through being plant-based. I think it was Dr. Esseltyn or Dr. Fuhrman that said it was ironic that people consider a plant-based diet to be drastic or impractical, but don't consider cutting themselves open in surgery to be either of those things. Granted, there are surgeries that are necessary and aren't for something that could have been prevented nutritionally (appendicitis, bone-resettings, etc.) but there are so many heart surgeries that could be prevented if we'd just take better care of ourselves.
WITHOUT FAIL, every time I think about not doing at least a modified ETL plan forever, I hear about someone else who has diabetes, cancer or heart disease. My body is still susceptible to disease, but I feel like Buttercup when she says "I could not bear it if you died again, not when I could save you," in that I couldn't bear getting sick knowing that there was something I could have done to stop/prevent it.
Today's stats:
W: 136.4
E: am/pm yoga
B and L: ayunando
D: couscous and ratatouille (Thank you, Momma Wright!), banana, soy milk and graham crackers
ETL is working for me right now. I'm not 100% oil-free, and I sometimes eat more than one serving of carbs in a day, or a bit of sugar (graham crackers), but I'm definitely plant-based, and I LOVE IT. I have more energy, don't get sick as often or nearly as severely, and feel just great!
I read on HH's blog today about a girl who had diabetes. Her doctors prescribed high-protein (animal protein) and low carb, but she kept getting sicker and sicker and fatter and fatter. Finally, a friend suggested she try a plant-based diet, which she did, and was able to go off of insulin.
When she told her doctor that she was eating a plant-based diet, and that her numbers we're improving, he said "that makes sense...we know that a plant-based diet will help reverse type 2 diabetes, but it's not practical." She was outraged that she'd never heard about plant-based options from her doctor, and that it was "practical" to be so sick that losing her leg was a viable future for her at the rate her health was deteriorating. She'd never been given the knowledge by her doctor that she needed to make an informed decision about nutritionally healing her diabetes through being plant-based. I think it was Dr. Esseltyn or Dr. Fuhrman that said it was ironic that people consider a plant-based diet to be drastic or impractical, but don't consider cutting themselves open in surgery to be either of those things. Granted, there are surgeries that are necessary and aren't for something that could have been prevented nutritionally (appendicitis, bone-resettings, etc.) but there are so many heart surgeries that could be prevented if we'd just take better care of ourselves.
WITHOUT FAIL, every time I think about not doing at least a modified ETL plan forever, I hear about someone else who has diabetes, cancer or heart disease. My body is still susceptible to disease, but I feel like Buttercup when she says "I could not bear it if you died again, not when I could save you," in that I couldn't bear getting sick knowing that there was something I could have done to stop/prevent it.
Today's stats:
W: 136.4
E: am/pm yoga
B and L: ayunando
D: couscous and ratatouille (Thank you, Momma Wright!), banana, soy milk and graham crackers
Cultivate You
I have a book written by Tara Stiles, a controversial-because-she's-not-traditional, yoga instructor. I like her make-yoga-comfortable-for-everyone attitude, and how she much she loves what she does. Eventually (when I actually have time for an hour of yoga on a semi-regular basis) I'd like to buy some of her DVDs.
Tara says to "Cultivate You." Everyone is unique, and has their own bliss and path in life. Mine includes so many things...education, health, gardening, creating, etc. I love that there is always something to do and learn (usually about 20 million that I want to try...I even looked up masters and PhD programs today...I know, I'm insane).
Lately, I've been trying to make scripture study and conference talk reading one of the first things that I do each day. It's made me so much happier! And my prayers are more meaningful too, because I've taken time to LISTEN to Heavenly Father through SS and GC. I think making my relationship with God a priority is the best way to cultivate myself because He knows me, what I am, and what I can become.
Today's stats:
W: 137.2
E: pm yoga
B: 3 bananas and nuts
L: carrots and hummus
D: green smoothie (tried Beth's blend-the-spinach-and-water-first-trick and it made it so much smoother!) with peaches, spinach and banana. I even got Ammon to have some :)
Tara says to "Cultivate You." Everyone is unique, and has their own bliss and path in life. Mine includes so many things...education, health, gardening, creating, etc. I love that there is always something to do and learn (usually about 20 million that I want to try...I even looked up masters and PhD programs today...I know, I'm insane).
Lately, I've been trying to make scripture study and conference talk reading one of the first things that I do each day. It's made me so much happier! And my prayers are more meaningful too, because I've taken time to LISTEN to Heavenly Father through SS and GC. I think making my relationship with God a priority is the best way to cultivate myself because He knows me, what I am, and what I can become.
Today's stats:
W: 137.2
E: pm yoga
B: 3 bananas and nuts
L: carrots and hummus
D: green smoothie (tried Beth's blend-the-spinach-and-water-first-trick and it made it so much smoother!) with peaches, spinach and banana. I even got Ammon to have some :)
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Not much to say
Today's stats:
W: 135.4
E: pm yoga
B: banana and walnuts
L: India Palace leftovers and two cutie oranges
D: 3 bananas, salad (spinach, salad mix, palta, corn, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms)
D#2: bread, olive oil and herbs, Italian salad, Pasta Sostanza
Thursday, January 26, 2012
I'm the body boss!
Today after school Beth and I went to IP for dinner (shocker, right? I'm happy that she's sticking pretty closely to ETL....she's doing so well, and if a little vegan Indian food at my favorite restaurant will help her cheat with out cheating, who am I to say her nay?) and were talking about food addictions. I'm pretty sure that I'm more addicted to food than some people (and by the same token less than some people as well) and am grateful to have found something that helps me eat healthily and avoid binges for the most part.
That being said, whenever I get discouraged about my progress or stressed about something, my first reaction is often still to go eat something. Tonight J and J came over and we were seeing how much M weighs. I got on for kicks and weighed 3 pounds more than I did this morning. I know that weight fluctuates throughout the day and the amount of clothing I was wearing contributed too, but my first thought was that I should go drown my "sorrows" in my India Palace left-overs. I forbore, though, not being hungry. I am the boss of me!
Tonight as we were coming home from the restaurant, and Beth said something about being the Body Boss. I AM the boss of my body. I'm trying to do better about listening to my body instead of letting outside influences (stress, addictions, etc.) dictate the quality and quantity of what I eat.
Today's stats:
W: 136.8 (this morning's weigh in)
E: pm yoga
B: banana and walnuts
L: spinach and salad mix with carrots, mushrooms, and my bean, corn, tomato, spices mix, and two mini oranges.
D: rice, bindi aloo, and a banana.
That being said, whenever I get discouraged about my progress or stressed about something, my first reaction is often still to go eat something. Tonight J and J came over and we were seeing how much M weighs. I got on for kicks and weighed 3 pounds more than I did this morning. I know that weight fluctuates throughout the day and the amount of clothing I was wearing contributed too, but my first thought was that I should go drown my "sorrows" in my India Palace left-overs. I forbore, though, not being hungry. I am the boss of me!
Tonight as we were coming home from the restaurant, and Beth said something about being the Body Boss. I AM the boss of my body. I'm trying to do better about listening to my body instead of letting outside influences (stress, addictions, etc.) dictate the quality and quantity of what I eat.
Today's stats:
W: 136.8 (this morning's weigh in)
E: pm yoga
B: banana and walnuts
L: spinach and salad mix with carrots, mushrooms, and my bean, corn, tomato, spices mix, and two mini oranges.
D: rice, bindi aloo, and a banana.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Overload of Miracles!
I don't know how I could be more blessed. Tonight at class I read Stefinee's proposal (for the study that she suggested I help her and Ramona with) and felt so over-whelmed with gratitude. It's about people talking about their stories with ESL kids, and I get to help. Oh, and I get paid to help. Basically if I work the proposed hours, helping with this research will not only help me get published, but it will basically pay back what I've spent out of pocket for grad school. Milagros nunca cesan.
Today's stats:
W: 137.4
E: 20 minute 1.25 mile walk with Beth, pm yoga
B: green smoothie (shared with Rachel)
L: amazing salad (minus the usual palta and carrots)
D: left over Pasta Sostanza, minestrone, banana, grapes and two bags of fruit and nut trail mix from the vending machine.
Today's stats:
W: 137.4
E: 20 minute 1.25 mile walk with Beth, pm yoga
B: green smoothie (shared with Rachel)
L: amazing salad (minus the usual palta and carrots)
D: left over Pasta Sostanza, minestrone, banana, grapes and two bags of fruit and nut trail mix from the vending machine.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Just keep going...
I just noticed that I have 100 posts. That means that I've been completely vegetarian, and mostly vegan for 100 days. That's an accomplishment and something to celebrate!!!
I was disgruntled about not being able to stick to pure ETL tonight because dinner plans didn't work out the way that I wanted them to, and Beth and I ended up eating at a restaurant where I was pretty sure the food had oil in it. So I dove in with both feet and ate oil on purpose with white bread. (Yeah, I'm smart like that!) I'm learning though...I didn't eat the whole huge bowl of incredibly yummy pasta. I was full, and I had enough for a meal for tomorrow, so I stopped. Just because I'm not perfect in one area or make a bad decision doesn't mean that I have to give up altogether.
And Beth loved the pasta too, so she's excited for us to try making it at home. And she didn't get the hamburger or steak that she was craving! :)
Today's stats:
W: 138.6
B: banana and walnuts
L: delicious salad! and grapes
D: Italian salad, white bread with olive oil and basil, delicious Pasta Sostanza at Carrabas, banana when I got home.
I was disgruntled about not being able to stick to pure ETL tonight because dinner plans didn't work out the way that I wanted them to, and Beth and I ended up eating at a restaurant where I was pretty sure the food had oil in it. So I dove in with both feet and ate oil on purpose with white bread. (Yeah, I'm smart like that!) I'm learning though...I didn't eat the whole huge bowl of incredibly yummy pasta. I was full, and I had enough for a meal for tomorrow, so I stopped. Just because I'm not perfect in one area or make a bad decision doesn't mean that I have to give up altogether.
And Beth loved the pasta too, so she's excited for us to try making it at home. And she didn't get the hamburger or steak that she was craving! :)
Today's stats:
W: 138.6
B: banana and walnuts
L: delicious salad! and grapes
D: Italian salad, white bread with olive oil and basil, delicious Pasta Sostanza at Carrabas, banana when I got home.
Monday, January 23, 2012
I decide
President Baker said something the other day (either at Saturday's activity or in Sacrament Meeting yesterday) that hit home. He said that God sends us down to earth as pretty raw material, and expects us to make something of ourselves.
Of course, I am so grateful that He has a hand in that making, and that if we listen, He'll guide us to the experiences, challenges, people and circumstances that will shape us into HIS grand design, but I choose whether or not I will listen and obey.
Today was great because I made great choices. I read my scriptures and conference talk before school and did essentrics. I stuck to ETL food (if not time frame) all day long. Physically, I feel fantastic. I also got a call from Stefinee this morning in response to my email of last night, and I have a new thesis! Life is good. I just wish it was as good for my Amy and Sara right now. Love my girls.
Today's stats:
W: 140.6
E: essentrics a/a
B: banana with walnuts
L: delicious salad
S: pear
S: rest of delicious salad
D: banana, orange, minestrone
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Inconsistent
I just love how I make up my mind to do something and then don't. Like how I'm trying to change my thesis topic...for the third time. And how I was done eating after a bowl of minestrone and a piece of bread tonight...and then ate 4 more pieces of bread and another bowl of soup. And how I was going to be in bed early...and it's almost 10:30. As Anna's friend tells her in Leap Year "The good news is, you have time to practice." Thank goodness tomorrow is another day. I will keep trying.
Today's stats:
W: 140.8
B: banana
L: n/a (at church)
D: 2 bowls of minestrone (VEGAN...yes, I did make my own buillion using HH's recipe) and 5 slices of Rachel's delicious homemade wheat bread (2-3 with fruit jamish stuff), 2 bananas.
Today's stats:
W: 140.8
B: banana
L: n/a (at church)
D: 2 bowls of minestrone (VEGAN...yes, I did make my own buillion using HH's recipe) and 5 slices of Rachel's delicious homemade wheat bread (2-3 with fruit jamish stuff), 2 bananas.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Simplicity
I've been craving it. I just want to come home and cook and clean and sew and write and read, not work on my thesis. I don't want a lot...just to not be going crazy! :)
Today's stats:
W: 140
B: n/a
L: lovely ETL salad
D: few cheese-spattered lettuce leaves and one buttery crouton (there really wasn't anything I could eat at the activity tonight), then spaghetti, chips and hummus and salsa, and a banana (Beth and I are starting our 6 week straight shot ETL run tomorrow), and soy milk with 3 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey.
Today's stats:
W: 140
B: n/a
L: lovely ETL salad
D: few cheese-spattered lettuce leaves and one buttery crouton (there really wasn't anything I could eat at the activity tonight), then spaghetti, chips and hummus and salsa, and a banana (Beth and I are starting our 6 week straight shot ETL run tomorrow), and soy milk with 3 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Begin with the end in mind...
Yesterday I had the "you have to go to college to become what you want to become" talk with one of my favorite students. He swears he hates to read, but will "sneak" our teacher read aloud book to see what happens next, and is averaging over 80% on his weekly literacy tests lately, as opposed to the 50-60% scores he was getting on a good day at the beginning of the year. He's doing so well!
He told me yesterday that he wasn't going to college, but then we figured out a good career goal...he wants to design video games, and suddenly college was the best idea ever! He said "Do you know where I'm going to college?" When I said no, he said "Yes you do! It's where you went!" Could he be any more adorable?! I think not!
I do think that remembering where you want to be (DONE with grad school, disease-free in a SAD-predominant society, strong enough to run a quick 5k, and able to feel the freedom and joy and lightness that come with being really in shape..."You get what you train for" was the work-out wisdom imparted by my literacy textbook tonight!) helps you slog through the tough times. Now, if I could just get myself to bed at a decent hour so that I don't have to overeat to stay awake to do homework! Estamos en camino!
Today's stats:
W: 138.6
E: pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: bindhi aloo from India Palace, 2 bananas, 4 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey (to stay awake while studying)
He told me yesterday that he wasn't going to college, but then we figured out a good career goal...he wants to design video games, and suddenly college was the best idea ever! He said "Do you know where I'm going to college?" When I said no, he said "Yes you do! It's where you went!" Could he be any more adorable?! I think not!
I do think that remembering where you want to be (DONE with grad school, disease-free in a SAD-predominant society, strong enough to run a quick 5k, and able to feel the freedom and joy and lightness that come with being really in shape..."You get what you train for" was the work-out wisdom imparted by my literacy textbook tonight!) helps you slog through the tough times. Now, if I could just get myself to bed at a decent hour so that I don't have to overeat to stay awake to do homework! Estamos en camino!
Today's stats:
W: 138.6
E: pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: bindhi aloo from India Palace, 2 bananas, 4 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey (to stay awake while studying)
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Sleep deprivation
I don't know why, but staying up late makes me feel like I'm in charge of my life...like I made a decision. I don't know why going to bed early doesn't do the same...maybe I don't try it often enough to really see the effects? Anyway, the effects of sleep deprivation are often over-eating in an attempt to get my body the energy that it needs.
Today's stats:
W: 140
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: ETL lasagna, 3 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey
S: ETL lasagna, bit of green smoothie from Robyn's class, and a "Just Great Stuff" nutrition bar, also from Robyn's class.
Today's stats:
W: 140
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: ETL lasagna, 3 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey
S: ETL lasagna, bit of green smoothie from Robyn's class, and a "Just Great Stuff" nutrition bar, also from Robyn's class.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Official binge day
I think Wednesdays are my official binge days now. I always eat too much trying to stay awake in class and then as a celebration of having survived it! :)
Today's stats:
W: 137.6
E: essentrics l/b 1.5 mile bike ride home (Amy saved me from a wet and cold ride to and from campus!)
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: broccoli and carrots with hummus, beans, corn, and tomatoes
S: rest of hummus with corn chips, and more beans, corn, and tomatoes, banana
Today's stats:
W: 137.6
E: essentrics l/b 1.5 mile bike ride home (Amy saved me from a wet and cold ride to and from campus!)
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: broccoli and carrots with hummus, beans, corn, and tomatoes
S: rest of hummus with corn chips, and more beans, corn, and tomatoes, banana
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
"I get a little bit stronger..."
Today I felt strong and happy, in spite of minimal sleep and lots to do. I honestly think that this way of eating is saving my sanity. I can't imagine being sick and tired in addition to everything else that is going on. I also loved getting up early enough to do essentrics today. It always makes me feel better.
Today's stats:
W: 138.6
E: essentrics a/a, 20 minutes of cardio intervals, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: apple with a bit of peanut butter; black beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices :), a chip with hummus, a piece of HH's pineapple sponge cake.
Today's stats:
W: 138.6
E: essentrics a/a, 20 minutes of cardio intervals, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: apple with a bit of peanut butter; black beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices :), a chip with hummus, a piece of HH's pineapple sponge cake.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Splurge Day!
I didn't eat breakfast this morning, knowing that I was going to eat a large lunch (and boy did I ever!). I also broke ETL rules twice today...once knowingly, and once unknowingly. I figure that generally speaking, I eat healthier than the vast majority of Americans, and that it's alright to splurge a little every once in a while. In a recent newsletter or post Lindsay said that we should own up to a splurge...I did today!
Today's stats:
W: 135.6
E: 20 minutes of cardio and pm yoga
B: n/a
L: bread with basil and olive oil (knowing rule breaking) and a LARGE bowl of pasta with sauteed mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and tomatoes. Divine.
D: ETL lasagna, sugar free fresh apple cake (found out later that it had eggs and oil in it...unknowing rule breaking)
S: LOTS of HH's sugar free pineapple cake. Yummy!
Today's stats:
W: 135.6
E: 20 minutes of cardio and pm yoga
B: n/a
L: bread with basil and olive oil (knowing rule breaking) and a LARGE bowl of pasta with sauteed mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and tomatoes. Divine.
D: ETL lasagna, sugar free fresh apple cake (found out later that it had eggs and oil in it...unknowing rule breaking)
S: LOTS of HH's sugar free pineapple cake. Yummy!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Invite Light
A few weeks ago, in pondering how to be better, the phrase "invite light" came back to me. This phrase (or one parecida) was used in a Stake Conference talk a few years ago, and I love it. I am working on inviting light be being kinder to others and less critical of them. I invite light by reading my scriptures and attending church (fabulous meetings today...I was called to repentance, and am grateful!) and trying to come closer to my Heavenly Father, and I invite light by trying to take better care of my body.
Today's stats:
W: 137.6
E: pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: black beans, tomatoes, corn, spices, palta, and a banana.
bread...
So I broke my ETL regime for the first time semi-knowingly today. I ate bread that I'm pretty sure had milk in it. And I went back for seconds, and thirds. In fact, the grand majority of what I ate today was bread! Glad to be back home and able to eat what I want/need (although Mother was fantastic about making food I could eat...and the bread binge was all of my own volition.)
In other news, my facebook account has been hacked and in trying to reset everything, I've also locked myself out of hotmail because I can't remember the new password that I set! :)
Today's stats:
W: 138 (M and F's scale)...and no, Amy, I did not see one spider there!
E: pm yoga
B: green smoothie, 3 pieces of bread, 2 with peanut butter and agave
L: salad, rolls, amazing ETL lasagna
D: rolls, rolls, rolls, rolls, rolls, and water. I seriously ate AT LEAST a dozen rolls by myself. But I resisted the temptation to eat Beth's hummus when I got home!
In other news, my facebook account has been hacked and in trying to reset everything, I've also locked myself out of hotmail because I can't remember the new password that I set! :)
Today's stats:
W: 138 (M and F's scale)...and no, Amy, I did not see one spider there!
E: pm yoga
B: green smoothie, 3 pieces of bread, 2 with peanut butter and agave
L: salad, rolls, amazing ETL lasagna
D: rolls, rolls, rolls, rolls, rolls, and water. I seriously ate AT LEAST a dozen rolls by myself. But I resisted the temptation to eat Beth's hummus when I got home!
Friday, January 13, 2012
remembering...
I'm grateful for things that help me remember why I'm doing what I'm doing.
Today one of my kids who is on the point of moving (his family is transient right now) was upset because he got in trouble for wandering the halls. He was still mad at me when he left school today, and I don't know if he'll ever be back. I hope he remembers the good times that we had in our class, and that he doesn't let something so impermanent as today's punishment taint his memories of his time at our school. I want to remember how he gets so excited for a new book, how he rips through his math assignments with almost always all right answers, how he can do anything that he decides to do, and that he has a can-do attitude about school and life most of the time, in spite of his rough home life.I want to remember that he came back in the classroom (still muttering about how stupid the school is) to get the book that I gave him. I want to remember that I loved this punk kid and that I made a difference in his volatile life. (And I want him to come back to school on Tuesday!)
I graded some math tests today, and one of my girls just crossed out a whole section of the test without doing it, accompanied by a note that said something like "I didn't really feel like doing these." Oh, honey, do I ever know how you feel! Sometimes I think that the reason why I'm supposed to do grad school is so that I can really relate to my kids when they don't want to do something academic or struggle with it. Nothing in my undergrad years really pushed me. Remembering that my students' work is just as tough to slog through for them as mine is for me makes it easier to start the painful process of a thesis writing session. Of course, she WILL finish the test. And I WILL finish my thesis, defend it, and GRADUATE!
On the way to Idaho tonight, I saw a bulletin board that said "Make Miracles Happen." Graduation will be a miracle, but I'm working to make it happen. And it will.
Finally, (back to the remembering theme) it seems like every time I start entertaining ideas of going back to an omnivore lifestyle after this year, I hear about someone else with diabetes (my professor this semester) or cancer (Francis' open house was today, and his father just passed away from cancer, and Francis has been battling it himself). Maybe someday I'll feel okay about eating meat and dairy again every once in a while. For now, I'm a happy herbivore, and grateful for reminders about why I'm doing this.
Today's stats:
W: 139
E: pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie (the kids saw it and wanted to know if it was the same as Mathis' moustache in the Christmas pictures)
D: a couple of bananas, carrots, and hummus (I was going to eat my salad on the way home, but I wasn't hungry, so I didn't...I also didn't find my fork right away and salad isn't exactly a finger food:) The hummus was good, and it didn't make me sick like I usually feel afterwards...must be the chips I've been eating with it!
Today one of my kids who is on the point of moving (his family is transient right now) was upset because he got in trouble for wandering the halls. He was still mad at me when he left school today, and I don't know if he'll ever be back. I hope he remembers the good times that we had in our class, and that he doesn't let something so impermanent as today's punishment taint his memories of his time at our school. I want to remember how he gets so excited for a new book, how he rips through his math assignments with almost always all right answers, how he can do anything that he decides to do, and that he has a can-do attitude about school and life most of the time, in spite of his rough home life.I want to remember that he came back in the classroom (still muttering about how stupid the school is) to get the book that I gave him. I want to remember that I loved this punk kid and that I made a difference in his volatile life. (And I want him to come back to school on Tuesday!)
I graded some math tests today, and one of my girls just crossed out a whole section of the test without doing it, accompanied by a note that said something like "I didn't really feel like doing these." Oh, honey, do I ever know how you feel! Sometimes I think that the reason why I'm supposed to do grad school is so that I can really relate to my kids when they don't want to do something academic or struggle with it. Nothing in my undergrad years really pushed me. Remembering that my students' work is just as tough to slog through for them as mine is for me makes it easier to start the painful process of a thesis writing session. Of course, she WILL finish the test. And I WILL finish my thesis, defend it, and GRADUATE!
On the way to Idaho tonight, I saw a bulletin board that said "Make Miracles Happen." Graduation will be a miracle, but I'm working to make it happen. And it will.
Finally, (back to the remembering theme) it seems like every time I start entertaining ideas of going back to an omnivore lifestyle after this year, I hear about someone else with diabetes (my professor this semester) or cancer (Francis' open house was today, and his father just passed away from cancer, and Francis has been battling it himself). Maybe someday I'll feel okay about eating meat and dairy again every once in a while. For now, I'm a happy herbivore, and grateful for reminders about why I'm doing this.
Today's stats:
W: 139
E: pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie (the kids saw it and wanted to know if it was the same as Mathis' moustache in the Christmas pictures)
D: a couple of bananas, carrots, and hummus (I was going to eat my salad on the way home, but I wasn't hungry, so I didn't...I also didn't find my fork right away and salad isn't exactly a finger food:) The hummus was good, and it didn't make me sick like I usually feel afterwards...must be the chips I've been eating with it!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Forgiving
I was thinking today about how forgiving my body is. I can feed it too much and not get enough sleep, and I still have a good, enjoyable day. The line from the hymn came to mind after that "Forgiveness is a gift from Thee, we seek with pure intent..." My body (and it's forgiving nature) is a gift too, and I need to treat it with the reverence due to a creation of God. Not in a self-worshipping way at all. Just treat it with more kindness and respect, and do so with pure intent.
Today's stats:
W: 141.4
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
S: pineapple
D: rice, aloo gobi, banana
Today's stats:
W: 141.4
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
S: pineapple
D: rice, aloo gobi, banana
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Stress eating...
I woke up early today to finish homework. That combined with stress about grad school (I was convinced that Stefinee had decided that I was done because she didn't email back until tonight, and then we had our little sharing time in 699 and I'm behind of course) had me eating non-stop.
Today's stats:
W: 138.8
E: bike ride home and to campus, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie, brown rice, tomatoes, corn
D: brown rice tomatoes, corn, several bananas, several pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey, 2 bags of trail mix, wheat thins.
Today's stats:
W: 138.8
E: bike ride home and to campus, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie, brown rice, tomatoes, corn
D: brown rice tomatoes, corn, several bananas, several pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey, 2 bags of trail mix, wheat thins.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Perspective
I came home from school today with Amy (bless her heart, she's so willing to give me a ride whenever I need it!) and then Beth drove me to the post office in pursuit of my text books...to no avail. I came home and stress ate (stressed about grad school and boys)...LOTS of food. Going to see my friend Jon in the hospital calmed me down. Seeing a picture and reading a little blurb about people in China who rent a cage to live in for about $200 a month because they can't afford anything else, and it's better than homelessness, gave me even more perspective.
Ostensibly, I eat the way I do for health, and that's really the foundational reason. I don't want cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. etc. etc. But I get caught up in little inconsequential things. It doesn't matter if I weigh a pound or two or ten more tomorrow than I do today. It does matter that over all my health and fitness, and energy are on an upward trend. I need to be consistently grateful for the MANY MANY blessings that are mine. I need to focus on what I CAN control (choosing good foods over not-as-healthy foods, exercising, listening to my body's hunger and satiation signals, finding a good, non-food-related way to destress, etc.) instead of what I can't. I can't plug the holes in my heart with food. In the little blurb accompanying the picture of the man sleeping in the cage in China, the photographer said that these people are still dignified in spite of their poverty. I need to have an attitude of gratitude and dignity in spite of the hugely inconsequential by comparison things that I face.
Today's stats:
W: 136.2
E: pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie, carrots, tomatoes (delicious!)
S: 2 mini oranges
D: left over bindi aloo, 3 pb and honey sandwiches, 2 or 3 bananas, popcorn, spaghetti sauce...I think that's it! :)
Ostensibly, I eat the way I do for health, and that's really the foundational reason. I don't want cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. etc. etc. But I get caught up in little inconsequential things. It doesn't matter if I weigh a pound or two or ten more tomorrow than I do today. It does matter that over all my health and fitness, and energy are on an upward trend. I need to be consistently grateful for the MANY MANY blessings that are mine. I need to focus on what I CAN control (choosing good foods over not-as-healthy foods, exercising, listening to my body's hunger and satiation signals, finding a good, non-food-related way to destress, etc.) instead of what I can't. I can't plug the holes in my heart with food. In the little blurb accompanying the picture of the man sleeping in the cage in China, the photographer said that these people are still dignified in spite of their poverty. I need to have an attitude of gratitude and dignity in spite of the hugely inconsequential by comparison things that I face.
Today's stats:
W: 136.2
E: pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie, carrots, tomatoes (delicious!)
S: 2 mini oranges
D: left over bindi aloo, 3 pb and honey sandwiches, 2 or 3 bananas, popcorn, spaghetti sauce...I think that's it! :)
Monday, January 9, 2012
Communication
So two things that I've been mildly frustrated with recently turned out to both be issues resulting from miscommunication. J and J hadn't gotten my texts or call about the freezer breaking, and C didn't know that my calling gave me responsibilities in FHE.
I think a lot of health issues are miscommunication issues too. If we really listened to our bodies, we'd be in a lot better shape as a nation than we are. Dr. Fuhrman talks about toxic hunger, where eating low nutrient foods leads to the impulse to over consume because the body isn't getting what it needs. I wonder if different people are more susceptible to it than others. I think it's a combination of my upbringing (eat as much of the less-healthy food as you can while you can, or the boys will, and it will be gone!) and the toxic hunger issue, but when I eat something less healthy, or when I'm stressed, or in a social situation, I eat a lot more than my body needs. And sometimes I'll eat (and a lot, too!) when I'm not hungry at all.
Tonight Beth, Amy and I went to India Palace. Usually when we go, I polish off all of my food, thinking that I'll eat better tomorrow. I try to eat healthy (ETL-based) the grand majority of the time, but the occasional hummus binge with the girls, or an India Palace trip is not bad. Tonight, I tried to listen to my body more, and only ate 1/3 to 1/2 of my food. More delectable Indian food for tomorrow! :) And eating in perfect ETL harmony for two out of three meals in the day and then eating IP for dinner for a couple of days is probably way better for my body than eating it all at once
Today's stats:
W: 136.2
E: bike commute, essentrics a/a, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
S: banana
D: Bindi Aloo! :)
I think a lot of health issues are miscommunication issues too. If we really listened to our bodies, we'd be in a lot better shape as a nation than we are. Dr. Fuhrman talks about toxic hunger, where eating low nutrient foods leads to the impulse to over consume because the body isn't getting what it needs. I wonder if different people are more susceptible to it than others. I think it's a combination of my upbringing (eat as much of the less-healthy food as you can while you can, or the boys will, and it will be gone!) and the toxic hunger issue, but when I eat something less healthy, or when I'm stressed, or in a social situation, I eat a lot more than my body needs. And sometimes I'll eat (and a lot, too!) when I'm not hungry at all.
Tonight Beth, Amy and I went to India Palace. Usually when we go, I polish off all of my food, thinking that I'll eat better tomorrow. I try to eat healthy (ETL-based) the grand majority of the time, but the occasional hummus binge with the girls, or an India Palace trip is not bad. Tonight, I tried to listen to my body more, and only ate 1/3 to 1/2 of my food. More delectable Indian food for tomorrow! :) And eating in perfect ETL harmony for two out of three meals in the day and then eating IP for dinner for a couple of days is probably way better for my body than eating it all at once
Today's stats:
W: 136.2
E: bike commute, essentrics a/a, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
S: banana
D: Bindi Aloo! :)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Dancing Days
So as a 30-year-old Latter-day Saint (aka Mormon) girl, I sometimes feel like I missed the boat because I'm not married and having kids. It's especially hard to deal with when my 22-year-old brother marries a 20 year old he's known for 4 months...not that that's the kind of relationship that I want, just that I want marriage and babies too.
Most of the time, though, I'm so happy and content with my life. I still want, hope, and pray for marriage and kids, but it's going to take one exceptional man to make that really even tempting. I don't believe that good marriages are exclusive to those who have almost everything in common with their spouse. But I do believe that whoever I marry will love and admire me for who I am, that I will love and admire him for who he is, and that we will fit into each other's lives....or I won't get married. I've had chances. None felt right. There are two great guys who are showing interest in me right now. Not feeling right. And so for my miracle list today, I'm going to share some of the things that I love about my life. And some of them are only happening or in existence because I AM single.
My job. I love spending 5 days a week with 27 crazy, funny, beautiful, full-of-life 5th graders. I love my students. I love my roommates. Living with Beth and Amy is comfortable, fantastic, fun, and full of life, love and adventure. We've decided to call our house The March Manor because we are Jo, Beth, and Amy. I love my ward. I get to meet and associate with amazing single people who have great dreams and goals and hearts. I love watching some of them find their glove people (the one who fits in their life) and starting their own little family circle of two. I love being friends with 18 to 31 year olds with only a rare thought about age differences. (Yikes, I was in 7th grade when some of these people were born!) I love having a house, and having 2 great girls to live with (I love them so much that they get to be in here at least twice...who knows how many times they'll show up?!) who are responsible and good and full of the Spirit, and love to read and have fun and dance around the fairy lights in our front yard. I love my more organized room and making new goals in the gloom of winter. I love progress and working towards something. (I WILL get my thesis done!) I love having chickens and planning for more lawn and a garden in the spring. I love riding my bike to work, and naming things that I own that are important to me (my chickens, my bike, my running shoes and vibrams). I love the full moon sparkling on the snow, and walking home with hands full of things to contribute to an activity that I helped plan. I love learning new things...Beth and I are going to a Green Smoothie girl class next week, and she, and Amy and I are going to take a 1 session class on how to write a book! I love making a difference and having important things to do, and especially being able to know and love so many people. I have a wonderful life. I hope I get to change my marital status to married someday. I hope that I get to have kids, and lots of them. But I love my life now, and am SO grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who gives me the experiences, joys and challenges that are tailored to me and my happiness and progression on the path back to him. Life is beautiful.
Today's stats:
W: 137 (and Beth lost 6 pounds this week!! So PROUD of her and her stick-with-it-ness when she really wants a burger!)
E: am yoga and pm yoga (am inspired by Tara's slender and strong look)
B and L: fasting
D: green smoothie (my strawberry, banana, spinach, cloves, cinnamon, agave, soy milk concoction)
S: herbal tea at E and B's hot chocolate party
Most of the time, though, I'm so happy and content with my life. I still want, hope, and pray for marriage and kids, but it's going to take one exceptional man to make that really even tempting. I don't believe that good marriages are exclusive to those who have almost everything in common with their spouse. But I do believe that whoever I marry will love and admire me for who I am, that I will love and admire him for who he is, and that we will fit into each other's lives....or I won't get married. I've had chances. None felt right. There are two great guys who are showing interest in me right now. Not feeling right. And so for my miracle list today, I'm going to share some of the things that I love about my life. And some of them are only happening or in existence because I AM single.
My job. I love spending 5 days a week with 27 crazy, funny, beautiful, full-of-life 5th graders. I love my students. I love my roommates. Living with Beth and Amy is comfortable, fantastic, fun, and full of life, love and adventure. We've decided to call our house The March Manor because we are Jo, Beth, and Amy. I love my ward. I get to meet and associate with amazing single people who have great dreams and goals and hearts. I love watching some of them find their glove people (the one who fits in their life) and starting their own little family circle of two. I love being friends with 18 to 31 year olds with only a rare thought about age differences. (Yikes, I was in 7th grade when some of these people were born!) I love having a house, and having 2 great girls to live with (I love them so much that they get to be in here at least twice...who knows how many times they'll show up?!) who are responsible and good and full of the Spirit, and love to read and have fun and dance around the fairy lights in our front yard. I love my more organized room and making new goals in the gloom of winter. I love progress and working towards something. (I WILL get my thesis done!) I love having chickens and planning for more lawn and a garden in the spring. I love riding my bike to work, and naming things that I own that are important to me (my chickens, my bike, my running shoes and vibrams). I love the full moon sparkling on the snow, and walking home with hands full of things to contribute to an activity that I helped plan. I love learning new things...Beth and I are going to a Green Smoothie girl class next week, and she, and Amy and I are going to take a 1 session class on how to write a book! I love making a difference and having important things to do, and especially being able to know and love so many people. I have a wonderful life. I hope I get to change my marital status to married someday. I hope that I get to have kids, and lots of them. But I love my life now, and am SO grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who gives me the experiences, joys and challenges that are tailored to me and my happiness and progression on the path back to him. Life is beautiful.
Today's stats:
W: 137 (and Beth lost 6 pounds this week!! So PROUD of her and her stick-with-it-ness when she really wants a burger!)
E: am yoga and pm yoga (am inspired by Tara's slender and strong look)
B and L: fasting
D: green smoothie (my strawberry, banana, spinach, cloves, cinnamon, agave, soy milk concoction)
S: herbal tea at E and B's hot chocolate party
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Arise and Shine Forth
Today I was supposed to dedicate the entire day to working on my thesis. I may have put in an hour and a half to 2 hours of real work on it. Because I didn't want to do it, I let myself get distracted by every little thing, and didn't even use the non-writing/researching time to do something worthwhile!
One of the things that was of benefit was watching some Tara Stiles videos on-line, and deciding that my next post-payday trip to Walmart will include purchasing one of her new DVDs. I like Tara because she's chill, and real. And she encourages us to "Cultivate YOU." I need that. I'm becoming someone new and different, and hopefully better each day, but I'm me and that's a good and important thing to be and become. I also like her focus on mindfulness. So much of my wasted time (and calories!) come from letting myself be mindless about what I'm doing rather than intentional. When I listen to myself and to my body, I make better choices. I nourish myself instead of punishing.
One success today: I stopped doing an exercise video because I didn't like how it made me feel. My body wasn't happy working out that way, and so I stopped. I need things that nourish me, not punish me.
Miracles: Tomorrow is another day (and SUNDAY!:) Fasting. Talk with my dear friend Amy F. A little bit closer to being done with my thesis. Exercise (cardio and essentrics...LOVE how ess makes me feel...I do need to be more mindful as I do it though. I think it will make me feel even lighter to be present as I do it.) Delicious green smoothies that my body craves, and the decision to quit tortilla chips cold turkey (as Lindsay suggests).
And my favorite miracle of the day: Arise: 2012 Mutual Theme Song This is a video for the youth of my church. A couple of Latter-day Saint friends had shared it on facebook, so on one of my many distracted tangents I watched it. And cried. And shared it on facebook too. I really love it. We have so much potential and God wants us to be the best us we can be! We need to ARISE AND SHINE FORTH. We can do this! We can be mindful and intentional as a way of worshipping God.
Today's stats:
W: 139 (less than I thought it would be after last night's hummus/chip binge...so I ate more of both for lunch!)
E: 15-30 minutes of cardio (started out with a video that I used to like and stopped because I sure didn't today!), l/b essentrics, pm yoga.
B: small green peach, banana, spinach smoothie.
L: rest of the hummus and lots of chips too
D: large green smoothie: banana, strawberries, spinach, soy milk, agave, cloves and cinnamon. LOVE!
One of the things that was of benefit was watching some Tara Stiles videos on-line, and deciding that my next post-payday trip to Walmart will include purchasing one of her new DVDs. I like Tara because she's chill, and real. And she encourages us to "Cultivate YOU." I need that. I'm becoming someone new and different, and hopefully better each day, but I'm me and that's a good and important thing to be and become. I also like her focus on mindfulness. So much of my wasted time (and calories!) come from letting myself be mindless about what I'm doing rather than intentional. When I listen to myself and to my body, I make better choices. I nourish myself instead of punishing.
One success today: I stopped doing an exercise video because I didn't like how it made me feel. My body wasn't happy working out that way, and so I stopped. I need things that nourish me, not punish me.
Miracles: Tomorrow is another day (and SUNDAY!:) Fasting. Talk with my dear friend Amy F. A little bit closer to being done with my thesis. Exercise (cardio and essentrics...LOVE how ess makes me feel...I do need to be more mindful as I do it though. I think it will make me feel even lighter to be present as I do it.) Delicious green smoothies that my body craves, and the decision to quit tortilla chips cold turkey (as Lindsay suggests).
And my favorite miracle of the day: Arise: 2012 Mutual Theme Song This is a video for the youth of my church. A couple of Latter-day Saint friends had shared it on facebook, so on one of my many distracted tangents I watched it. And cried. And shared it on facebook too. I really love it. We have so much potential and God wants us to be the best us we can be! We need to ARISE AND SHINE FORTH. We can do this! We can be mindful and intentional as a way of worshipping God.
Today's stats:
W: 139 (less than I thought it would be after last night's hummus/chip binge...so I ate more of both for lunch!)
E: 15-30 minutes of cardio (started out with a video that I used to like and stopped because I sure didn't today!), l/b essentrics, pm yoga.
B: small green peach, banana, spinach smoothie.
L: rest of the hummus and lots of chips too
D: large green smoothie: banana, strawberries, spinach, soy milk, agave, cloves and cinnamon. LOVE!
Good enough for who it's for
The phrase above works when I'm talking about doing things for me, or even for other people. I try to be dedicated in everything I do.
However, one of the reasons that I've been trying to do EL and exercise is for God. And what I've been doing is NOT good enough for Him. I need to ask Him for help in this goal.
Miracles: I can do and be better tomorrow!
Todays stats:
W: 138.6
E: essentrics a/a, 3 mile bike commute, yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: salad (spinach, tomato, palta, black-eyed peas, banana, orange
S: 2 bananas with peanut butter
S: corn chips with hummus.
However, one of the reasons that I've been trying to do EL and exercise is for God. And what I've been doing is NOT good enough for Him. I need to ask Him for help in this goal.
Miracles: I can do and be better tomorrow!
Todays stats:
W: 138.6
E: essentrics a/a, 3 mile bike commute, yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: salad (spinach, tomato, palta, black-eyed peas, banana, orange
S: 2 bananas with peanut butter
S: corn chips with hummus.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Define yourself
As a teacher, professional development is a part of life and work. On the name tag for one of the meetings, it said "Define yourself." I've kept the name tag as a reminder that that's what I do. All of my thoughts, words and actions define me. I've changed SO much in my lifetime, and anticipate many more years of change and growth and definition. I'm doing and becoming things that I'd never even considered, much less entertained, or saw coming (going to grad school, becoming vegetarian/vegan, owning a house on my own, etc.)
I do want more definition in my body. My friend Sheri is getting great results with Jackie Warner's diet and workout plan. I love my diet, so I'm good to go there, but I want more cardio than what I'm getting with my bike rides to school. Sheri said that she's only doing 20 minutes of cardio...I think I could fit that in! :) Beth is defining herself too. She's been doing ETL for just a couple of days, and already says that she feels better. I can already see more definition in her cheekbones. She's already gorgeous...she's going to be a knockout!
Miracles today: I get to be a teacher...I LOVE my kids. Pizza wasn't a temptation tonight (it can sometimes smell tempting). My bike ride home in the moonlight was incredible. Libraries are full of books for me to read when I'm done with grad school. And just because I haven't done great at thesis work so far doesn't mean that I can't and won't!!! I need to start my task, so I can stick with it, til it sticks to me!
Today's stats:
W: 140.8 (I was disgruntled about it this morning:(...just have to keep going and trying, and NOT stress eat.
E: essentrics l/b, 3 miles of bike commuting, pm yoga
B: green smoothie (LOVE it: spinach, strawberries, banana, cloves, agave nectar, cinnamon, soy milk)
L: can of black beans (bloated now)
D: green smoothie
S: banana with peanut butter
I do want more definition in my body. My friend Sheri is getting great results with Jackie Warner's diet and workout plan. I love my diet, so I'm good to go there, but I want more cardio than what I'm getting with my bike rides to school. Sheri said that she's only doing 20 minutes of cardio...I think I could fit that in! :) Beth is defining herself too. She's been doing ETL for just a couple of days, and already says that she feels better. I can already see more definition in her cheekbones. She's already gorgeous...she's going to be a knockout!
Miracles today: I get to be a teacher...I LOVE my kids. Pizza wasn't a temptation tonight (it can sometimes smell tempting). My bike ride home in the moonlight was incredible. Libraries are full of books for me to read when I'm done with grad school. And just because I haven't done great at thesis work so far doesn't mean that I can't and won't!!! I need to start my task, so I can stick with it, til it sticks to me!
Today's stats:
W: 140.8 (I was disgruntled about it this morning:(...just have to keep going and trying, and NOT stress eat.
E: essentrics l/b, 3 miles of bike commuting, pm yoga
B: green smoothie (LOVE it: spinach, strawberries, banana, cloves, agave nectar, cinnamon, soy milk)
L: can of black beans (bloated now)
D: green smoothie
S: banana with peanut butter
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Vegan Junk Food
So I haven't been totally true to Eat to Live. Beth and I had hummus the other day, and I couldn't just let a few corn chips go stale in the cupboard, so I let myself stress eat by getting another container of hummus and finishing off the chips. I will do better tomorrow. Any suggestions on how to de-stress quickly?
Miracles: The bike riding is still happening! My students are doing well with the new study guides that I instituted for Literacy. The weather is still clear! My class work seems more manageable, and I trust that with good planning, hard-work, and uber-planning of schedule, I can graduate in August! (Found out tonight that that means I have to defend and submit my thesis in June...less time to work on it, but more time to play when I get it done!!!:)
Today's stats:
W: 138.4
E: essentrics arms and abs, 6+ miles of bike commuting, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: classic salad (spinach, beans, mushrooms, palta, tomatoes)
D: green smoothie, 2 bananas with peanut butter and 1 slice of bread
S: 2 bananas with peanut butter
S: hummus and chips
Miracles: The bike riding is still happening! My students are doing well with the new study guides that I instituted for Literacy. The weather is still clear! My class work seems more manageable, and I trust that with good planning, hard-work, and uber-planning of schedule, I can graduate in August! (Found out tonight that that means I have to defend and submit my thesis in June...less time to work on it, but more time to play when I get it done!!!:)
Today's stats:
W: 138.4
E: essentrics arms and abs, 6+ miles of bike commuting, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: classic salad (spinach, beans, mushrooms, palta, tomatoes)
D: green smoothie, 2 bananas with peanut butter and 1 slice of bread
S: 2 bananas with peanut butter
S: hummus and chips
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
I'm back in the saddle again...
Literally. I rode Principessa to work and back for the first time today. (Yes, I name my possessions...my new purple bike bequeathed to me by Mandy is named Principessa because she's purple and girly and strong, and so that when I go out in the morning not wanting to face the ride, I can say "Buongiorno Principessa!" and remember to look on the bright side of things!) It was lovely. Besides the cold hands, (need to wear my new Canadian mittens as well as my gloves) and nose that started to run as soon as I got inside again, it was perfect. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, I felt accomplished and stronger, and more in touch with my body and my surroundings.
(Confession: I don't wear a helmet. I grew up riding around our rural neighborhood, and part of the joy of riding a bike to me is the wind in my hair as I'm floating down a hill. Do I HAVE to wear one?)
Being a teacher is a blessing. I LOVE my kids and have a good time. I don't love all the politics, gossip or mandates (but my school, and especially my team are remarkably drama-free on all of those counts). I walked to my meeting for FHE...why drive when you can ride or walk? Not having a car gives me time to think, breath, notice. It helps me slow down and be.
Miracles: My car didn't break down until after I was released from being Relief Society President; it hasn't snowed, which is highly unusual for this time of year!; I can CHOOSE to not have a car in spite of what others are doing; I LOVE what I've chosen to do! :)
Today's stats:
W: 137.2
E: essentrics l/b, 3 mile bike commute, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: bread with honey, banana, corn chips with hummus
S: banana with peanut butter
(Confession: I don't wear a helmet. I grew up riding around our rural neighborhood, and part of the joy of riding a bike to me is the wind in my hair as I'm floating down a hill. Do I HAVE to wear one?)
Being a teacher is a blessing. I LOVE my kids and have a good time. I don't love all the politics, gossip or mandates (but my school, and especially my team are remarkably drama-free on all of those counts). I walked to my meeting for FHE...why drive when you can ride or walk? Not having a car gives me time to think, breath, notice. It helps me slow down and be.
Miracles: My car didn't break down until after I was released from being Relief Society President; it hasn't snowed, which is highly unusual for this time of year!; I can CHOOSE to not have a car in spite of what others are doing; I LOVE what I've chosen to do! :)
Today's stats:
W: 137.2
E: essentrics l/b, 3 mile bike commute, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: bread with honey, banana, corn chips with hummus
S: banana with peanut butter
Monday, January 2, 2012
Marathon (of the Harry Potter variety)
Today I spent almost all day with friends playing Quidditch and watching movies 3 and 6 of Harry Potter. It wasn't a productive day in terms of getting things done for school or grad school, but it was lovely. I think one of the greatest miracles in life is when people know us really well and still like and love us anyway! And Beth ate a salad today instead of doing IP, which is big. She's committed and it's going to work for her! She made me laugh though...she said something about how if she eats like this, then she'll look like me. I honestly think she's already prettier than I am. Love my sister!
Today's stats:
W: 137
E: essentrics a/a, 1.25 mile run (in my fab vibrams!), pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: classic salad
D: Sister Nelson's delicious bread (with honey on one piece)
Today's stats:
W: 137
E: essentrics a/a, 1.25 mile run (in my fab vibrams!), pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: classic salad
D: Sister Nelson's delicious bread (with honey on one piece)
Sunday, January 1, 2012
I choose!
It's amazing how much of a difference CHOOSING to be happy, flexible, calm, etc. makes. My brother and new sister in law came to church with us today. I've had bitter moments about them (and all of my brothers/sister-in-laws before their weddings) but it was fun to go to church with them and I wish we could every week. After church I had a 2 + hour meeting about FHE. My former crush was there, and because I decided to be normal, it was normal, and we had a good time! I don't think of myself as an influential person, but what I decide to focus on, think, etc. does have an effect on how my life goes, and influences others as well.
Last night I used my new scale and weighed in at 142. something. That was a little higher than I was hoping/thinking,(and 4 pounds higher than this morning's weigh in) but I'm not in the freak out about weight gain mode. I know that what I'm doing and am planning to do is good for my body: Eat to Live, run (with my fabulous new Vibrams Esperanza and Libertad) and do essentrics and yoga. It feels right and things will work out. I'm confident that I will lose another 20 pounds by May 8th because I'm sticking to the plan. Beth started her first day of Eat to Live today...I shared my favorite salad combo idea with her and she liked it :) She's going to go for 6 weeks and see how she does.
Miracles today: Church! Family, friends, serving with amazing people, house with the Little Women clan, Beth getting on the ETL bandwagon, a NEW YEAR!!! So happy for a fresh start!
Today's stats:
W: 138
E: yoga
B: banana
L/D: fasting (didn't go 24 hours this time because I didn't know until church that it was fast Sunday...I'll try again next week:)
S/D: 2 bananas, peanut butter, avocado, BLACK-EYED PEAS (have to eat them New Year's Day for good luck...my girls (Beth and Amy) and I are going to get married in December...that will be our luck:)
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