Time moves on, whether I do or not.

It's crazy how fast this school year has gone by.  I think about how much I want/wanted to do with these kids, and how much I was thinking I'd have done on my thesis.  And how I'd have a car by now.  And how the lawn would be planted, my food and stress issues would be over, and Prince Charming would miraculously show up on my doorstep and profess his undying love.  Uh-huh.

General Conference has been sooooo amazing.  I feel so loved and looked after.  So many things to change, but I'm filled with more hope and resolve as a result of conference.  The thing is, time will pass whether I make those changes or not.  So I might as well get started!!!  I've been overeating like I think I'll starve.  Need to take my problems to the Lord, not try to bury them with food.

Today:

W: 141.4

E: 13 minute 1.25 mile run

B: nuts and bananas

L: 2 bowls of dal

D: aguita caliente! :)

Today

Binged a bunch.  Not much to say.

Today: 139.8
B: banana and walnuts
L: tomatoes, cucumbers, green smoothie
D: salad, bananas
S: pb popcorn, chili, bananas and walnuts.

How I ate my way through the day!

Soooo tired today!  7 hours of sleep between two nights is NOT enough!  So I ate to compensate.  Too many carbs to really count as Eat to Live, plus a nonconformist bite of peanut butter.  I need to get more sleep in order to really do this right.

B: green smoothie
S: 4 blueberry bagels
L: greens with a tomato slice and two cucumber slices.
D: spinch, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, palta, apples
S: 4-5 bananas, walnuts, peanut butter

"It matters to me now!"

Jeanne said that tonight in class, talking about how it's important to know where her assessments come from.  It struck me then in relation to academics, but also connected to nutrition, etc. in my mind.  I was chubby as a child...would put butter on my bread, break it up and pour gravy over it.  I remember eating 8 pieces of pizza in one meal, and over-eating with Ruth until we were both so full that we were in pain to the point that we were huddled on the floor together, groaning from the discomfort of our distended stomachs.  Nutrition didn't matter to me then...I don't know if I didn't know what constituted healthy eating. More likely, I just never thought about it.  Looking back, I realize that I have food issues and addictions.  Eating to Live is been helping me change.  And it definitely matters to me now.

Today:
W: 138
E: pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: spinach with fiesta mix and an apple cut into it as well (I find I like the sweet and savory together).
D: dal, 2 bananas
S: lemon tea :)

Change is the only constant

Yikes! Are there ever changes afoot!  Yesterday, Amy told me that Missy talked to her, and she's being changed to 3rd grade.  Not cool.  Amy has been an integral part of my Spring Creek experience, to the point where I sometimes forget that I ever taught without her!  What is life without Amy?  A barren wasteland of loneliness and boredom!  It's a good thing that we're friends and roommates and will see each other anyway, and I'll be done with grad school by the time school starts again, and will have outside-of-school-time to see her and play together, but STILL!

I'd heard that there were changes in the making, but never really thought that they'd separate Amy and I.  So that's one HUGE change. One blessing/side effect of being loquita con quehaceres is that I have so many things on my mind at any given moment that I don't have a lot of time to brood about it.  I just have to focus on the next thing, like Lucy.  Which isn't changes that will happen in future months.  But every once in a while, it comes to mind and I'm shocked and dismayed all over again. :( Boo!

On the food front, I'm having a hard time sticking to my Eat to Live guns.  I wanted to eat another banana with some peanut butter tonight.  I'd already eaten.  Wasn't remotely hungry.  But wanted to anyway.  I made some lemon tea instead.  I think that I like lemon the most of any of the kinds I've had.  Or lemon tea was what my body really wanted.  Or some of the sugar that I was using to make more pumpkin muffins drifted towards my mug (I really didn't put any in on purpose!) but it tasted great! :)  So, I think another change to make to help me in this BIG change, is to be Chilean and have aguita caliente after dinner.

Today:
W: 141.4
E:  essentrics l/b
B: green smoothie (thanks to Beth...AND she volunteered to make enough to share each morning!:)
L: brown rice, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, pineapple, etc. (hawaiian haystack fixings, courtesy of our fantastic PTA!) with some dal and a banana
D: spring mix, spinach, tomatoes, chili, an apple, and 2 bananas...both bananas were post meal...snack?!  We'll keep working on that! :)

Carb Overload

So I measured and weighed today, the idea being that I would start my 6 weeks of Eat to Live today.  Ha ha!  I carbed out big time today.  With pasta on the menu to feed the skiing hordes, and Sister Nelson's DIVINELY DELICIOUS bread as treat for FHE, of course I overloaded!

Let's just say that the overloading is for all the running I'll be doing...I'm hooked on "The Running Dream," (as are half of my student council kids after I told them about it today!) and went running this morning.

Also, I'm spreading the love in the Eat to Live department.  Linda Rossiter was curious about what I do over our Vegas trip, so I told her about the book.  I saw her in the workroom today, and we talked about it.  I asked if she'd ordered the book, and told her not to because I have a copy, when she told me that she hasn't yet.  I really need to get my copy back from Michele, but it's time to order some additional copies again, ya que I give them away as soon as I get them!

Today's stats:
W: 142.4
E: essentrics a/a, 20 minute run
B: green smoothie (peaches, banana, spinach)
L: dal, fresh grapes, strawberries, and pineapple, courtesy of our AMAZING PTA!
D: salad, pasta sostanza, Mariel's herb pasta (with olive oil), a banana 4 pieces of Sister Nelson's FANTASTIC bread, more sostanza, another banana!

Yikes!

This week is going to be insanely busy.  Tomorrow I have student council, then need to make dinner for my Uncle Steve and his family, then go to FHE at Bishop's house.  And before all of those things, I have monstrous amounts of copies to make, a couple of chapters of homework to finish, and some children to bribe so that they can whip up a portfolio to make me look good when I turn my project in on Wednesday!  Tuesday will be homework and report-card filled.  Wednesday is class.  Thursday is an Arts Academy conference.  And Parent Teacher Conference. And a Student Council service project. And RS International night. Friday is Formal Dinner.  And Mathis' sleepover.  Saturday is General Conference.  And Princess Night.  Sunday is General Conference.  And Family gathering.  YIKES!!! And in the midst of all of this, I'm starting my 6 weeks of Pure Eat to Live.  I will eat more than an ounce of avocado at a time.  And tomorrow I will have more than one carb (pasta for dinner and Sister Nelson's incomparable bread for FHE).  But I won't do added fats or my vegan cheat meals.  6 weeks, baby.  It's about time, too, as I gained 5 pounds during my Vegas time (most of which probably came from eating so much to stay awake last night!)

Today's stats:
W: 145.4
B and L: fasting
D: peanut butter, banana, spinach, chili, tomatoes, mushrooms, 2 tortillas with peanut butter and honey.
S: dal  LOVE it!

Life Lately

Because I'm too cheap to pay $12 for 2 hours worth of internet at my first hotel in Vegas, and too leery of security issues with the second hotel, I haven't checked my email or done anything online since Tuesday afternoon.

Never fear, however!  I faithfully blogged in Word during my hiatus!  Today's post will be at the very bottom.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012       Do your best!!! 

I have been worried about eating on this trip.  Turns out that I ate cheese today.  I ordered bruschetta at dinner tonight, only to discover, halfway through my third of four pieces, that they had put cheese on the bottom of the bread!  I went ahead and ate the rest of it.  I’ll keep trying to eat vegan, but won’t waste $ on food just to through it away  (nor will I pay $15 a night for internet, so this will all be posted when I get home from Vegas)

Today:

W: 139.6?

E: pm yoga

B: n/a

L: salad (spinach, beans, tomatoes, apples)

S:  2 tortillas with refried beans

D: bruschetta and spring mix with vinegar

S: 2 nut bars, walnuts, raisins, prunes

Wednesday, March 21, 2012                        Be more! 

That’s just one of the few things that I’ve felt today.  Our conference has been inspiring, and I’ve felt strongly that I’m where I need to be (at the conference, at Spring Creek, teaching).  And tonight we went to the Cirque de Soleil show, Ka.  It was incredible.  The performers were amazing at what they did.  I need to do better at doing what I do.

Today:

W: ?

E: pm yoga

B: pineapple, grapes, strawberries

L: sautéed veggies on a bun

S: nuts and raisins

D: broccoli, garbanzo bean burger

S: prunes, 2 nut bars

 Thursday, March 22, 2012                Be great at what works.

Another great day at our conference.  I wasn’t very alert, but still learned a lot.  I’m excited to go back to school and apply! J  I ate some delicious sushi today…veggie roll.  Last night I bought an issue of Self, and Carrie Underwood said that she’ll never eat meat again, because she feels better without it, but that she has to have some cake every once in a while, and that she’s 95% vegan.  I think that’s a good plan.  I did have cheese inadvertently on Tuesday, and though I plan to avoid it most of the time, I think that Dr. Fuhrman’s 90% rule, or Carrie’s 95% policy are good ways to live, and still a lot healthier than the SAD. 

One of the things that stood out in the conference today was that we should be great at what works.  PLC/RTI work, but we have to be great at them.  Instead of piling on too many things and doing them decently, or well, we need to do fewer things, and do them excellently.  I was thinking of that principle in connection with taking care of my body.  I don’t need the latest trend in exercise clothes or equipment.  I really don’t care about the next big diet craze.  I know what works for me.  When I do it, even half-way, I get amazing results and feel fantastic.  These are the things that I need to do excellently:

Go to bed early and get up early.  Eat to Live.  Run.  Essentrics.  The end.  If I do these things excellently, and become great at them, I will be healthier, leaner, stronger, faster, fitter, and more refined and defined than ever.  Here’s to being great at what works!!!

Today:

W: ?

E: pm yoga

B: watermelon, pineapple, grapes (yummy!)

S: trail mix with dried fruit, nuts and pb and white chocolate chips

L: 2 veggie rolls, cucumber salad

D: 2 veggie rolls, cucumber salad, walnuts and raisins

Friday, March 23, 2012              Work is the only way that things get done.

Those are some of the words of wisdom shared by the sealer who performed John and Chelsey’s wedding.  I need to work more.  On my thesis, on my exercising, etc.  One of the things from the conference that stood out to me was something along the lines of “We don’t have more time, we just use it differently.”  I need to use my time differently. 

I also need to find ways to cope with stress other than eating.  I had some stress eating going on tonight at dinner.  I didn’t eat meat or cake, but I sure ate a lot of potato salad and beans, and even had a few potato chips.  I need to figure out how to help my brain realize that I don’t need to eat so much at social gatherings.  I need to be more conscious of what I eat. 

W: ?

E: essentrics a/a, a few stairs

B: 2 pieces of bread with peanut butter, 2 slices of orange, 2 fig newtons, 2 pieces of bread with a tomato slice.

L: n/a
S: graham crackers

D: lettuce, tomatoes, potato salad, beans

Saturday, March 24, 2012                6 weeks starts Tuesday

If I start Dr. Fuhrman's 6 week stint on Tuesday, it will end on May 8th, which is my year marker for starting Eat to Live.  Beth has committed to doing it with me, and we're going to do it for real (no India Palace, hummus, etc.).  I'm excited to see how things turn out!  I think making sure that I stick to my carb and fat limits will really help. 

W: ?

B: n/a

L: salad from Subway, apples

S: veggies and fruit at John and Chelsey's reception (didn't give into the cake temptation!)

D: 2 bean burritos

S: cashews, fruit popsicles, dried fruit, fig newtons (which are probably just as bad as cake!)

Cansada

Tonight we made our FHE videos.  I look ridiculously tired in mine.  Probably because I am. Oh well.  And I ate about 5 pounds of peanut butter popcorn.  But I did well the rest of the day. And my formerly painful ankle isn't hurting anymore, so maybe I can go running tomorrow! :)

Today:
W: 137.8
E: essentrics a/a, pm yoga
B: banana and walnuts
S: apple with peanut butter
L: green smoothie
S: 2 pears
D: salad with chili, palta, tomatoes, etc, banana, walnuts
S: more bananas, peanut butter popcorn

Sunday.

I LOVE Sundays.  We had ward conference and I learned so much.  Bishop talked about running through the pain...you might as well run, because it doesn't hurt any less when you slow down.  I need to do better on my thesis and homework.  :)  Voy a hacerlo y todo saldra bien!

Today:
W: 139
E: pm yoga
B and L: fasting
Dinner:  cabbage, lots of bread, 3 potatoes, a little bit of hummus and carrots, banana and walnuts.

The Irish Way

This morning after walking/running the Rex Lee Run (disappointed that the shirts weren't green this year!) with Caitlin and Valerie, I went to ksl.com to browse for cars.  KSL had a video of two professional Irish dancers who moved to Utah to teach dance.

Besides being wowed by their amazing dancing skills, and highly attractive accents, two things that they said served as motivation for me.   One commented that they're really strict with their students, that they do things "the Irish way."  And one of them said that when he was young and wanting to be a national champion, "It was just about how far I was willing to push myself."

In some ways, I push myself.  Some people consider the way I eat to be extremely strict, and I can run farther and do more than a lot of people in America (Amy and I had a conversation about all the old, fat people in America, as evidenced by those in attendance at the cuacus Thursday), but I'm not doing ALL I can do.

 So, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, and my untraced but very real Irishness, I am going to try (again, because we Irish don't give up!) to push myself as far as I can go.  That means getting enough sleep.  And running: harder, farther, more frequently.  And doing essentrics.  And yes, working on my thesis and homework even more.

Today:  HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!
W: 141
E: 5k, pm yoga
B: 2 bananas and some walnuts
L: refried beans, green smoothie, 2 bananas and a spoonful of peanut butter.

Just doing the best I can...in some ways.

Amy F. invited my over for dinner...I thought we were going out, but I love spending time with her, and love her cooking.  Except the Thai Curry had shrimp sauce in it, and the Japanese Curry had cheese in it. I thought about not saying anything...a few bites of meat will not kill me.  I know this.  But I feel like I really need to do this (no meat, dairy, or eggs).  So I ate rice and flavored greens and was happy.  Kozo said that I look a lot skinnier than I used to, and that I wasn't fat, and Amy F. said that I look really good and that she wants to be vegan too.  I gave her my other copy of ETL...they go fast :)  I'm flattered when people say I look good, but am even happier knowing that I'm doing it because I feel better and am healthier this way.
I do need to work on not over-eating, though.  It's still a coping mechanism when I'm tired or stressed.  But I ate the rest of my bread today, so I should be good for a while!:)

Today:
W: 137.6
E: essentrics l/b
B: banana, bread with peanut butter and honey
L: fiesta mix, banana, walnuts
S: hummus and carrots, banana
D: rice, green smoothie, bok something or other (not bok choy).
S: hummus and chips, banana, 2.5 pieces of bread with pb and honey.

All the people to love...

One of my favorite children's picture books is called All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan.  It has made me cry.

Today was a day full of people to love.  Every day is really.  But tonight at the caucus meeting, I got to see Candice, Emily, the Bybees, the Whites, and the Chamberlains.  It was like the Slate Canyon reunion!  I LOVE my people.

Here's something I did today to show more love to myself:  I didn't eat any snacks.  Instead of doing my peanut butter and honey sandwich when I got home, I drank a cup of orange herbal tea.  (I may have to walk to Allen's in the next couple of days and buy some Apple Spice herbal tea...I've been craving it.)

John and Jesse came over with Mathis tonight so that I could co-sign a refinancing application, and so I didn't get to bed at 10 (we didn't even get home from the caucus until 10, so it wasn't their fault!) Well, you can't do it all!

Today:
W: 138.8
E: 21 minute run, essentrics arms and abs, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: salad with fiesta mix
D: green smoothie, apple and walnuts

Wednesday night habits.

I made it through class without eating...and came home and ate. A lot.  The end.


Today:
W: 137.8
E: 15 minute run, pm yoga
B: banana and walnuts
L: salad with palta, chili, etc.
D: green smoothie
S: 2 pieces of bread with pb and honey, 1 tortilla with refried beans and salsa.

Sunshine

The last few days, I've been able to go outside without a sweater for afternoon recess.  SO LOVELY.  Lizzie told me that she has a month-to-month gym pass with Gold's that's only $10/month.  I'm tempted to get one, but will probably wait until it's really cold or dark (October?) to do it.

Sunlight makes me happy, more energetic, kinder, more grateful, more likely to eat well and exercise.  Bring on the summer! :)

Today:
W: 138.8
E: pm yoga
B: banana and nuts
L: fiesta mix, orange
D: 2 paltas, 2 pieces of rye bread, 2 bananas
S: green smoothie (banana, peach, coconut milk, spinach)
S: orange tea...tastes like an orange roll, but vegan, fat and sugar free.

I did NOT eat a batch of pb popcorn, or anything after 7pm...may try the Leangains way of not eating 'til noon.  I haven't been hungry in the mornings.  But I will eat if I am!

Sleep

I read in a magazine this weekend (Woman's World) that when we don't get enough sleep, our metabolism is damaged and our insulin and stress hormones rise.  (Don't worry, grad school professors, all your hard work is paying off...I wanted to know what their sources were!) I believe it.  I need to get more sleep, more consistently.

Last night I went to bed at 10:30 and meant to get up at 5.  Didn't happen!  I slept for 8 hours on a non-weekend night!  However, it's 11:40 now, and I won't be in bed before midnight.  But I can get 6 hours in (was at least strong enough not to watch a movie, even though I watched the latest episode of Once Upon a Time) if I am in bed by then.  One day at a time!

Today:
W: 138.8
E: pm yoga
B: walnuts and banana
L: salsa salad and an orange
D: bread with palta, green smoothie (strawberries and coconut milk...delicious!)
S: 2 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey

God expects us to change.

In Sunday School today, we were talking about the differences in how God works and how Satan works. One of the ideas that was brought up was that Satan doesn't expect us to change, but God does expect us to change, and expects us to work at it.  Repentance is so important.  Someone today defined repentance as striving to change.  I guess I'm repenting then! :)  I love the gospel and am so blessed by it.

One thing that I need to change is how I treat food and my body.  I've been using food as an escape.  We also talked about this...how Satan doesn't want us to feel.  Paying attention to and taking care of my body helps me be more in tune with the Spirit.

I fasted today (totally missed Fast Sunday last week!) and felt so good.  And I weighed in at 5 pounds less this morning than I did yesterday morning.  All that food I've been binging on is making it's way out.  I'm excited for a new day, a new week to keep going, keep trying, keep changing.

Another thing that I need to change is how I treat people.  I think that I'm good at making one person feel good or loved or cared about, but when I'm in a group of more than that, I feel like I tend to ignore someone or lots of someones in order to pay attention to the one.  I need to learn how to balance that.

Today:
W: 140.6
E: pm yoga
B and L: fasting
D: 2 bowls of a yummy concoction of brown rice, quinoa, corn, olives, peas, kidney, black and refried beans, 1 banana

10 pounds

Just so you know, it is physically possible to gain 10 pounds in 4 days.  I just did it.  On Tuesday morning, I weighed in at 135.2.  This morning I weighed in at 145.4.  I've been on a major binge, and know that I'll go back down as soon as I stop trying to fix my emotional and stress issues with food. I did better today.  I'm not worried, not mad at myself, just need to work on taking care of the stress so that I'm not compounding it with health issues too.

Today:
W: 145.4
E: pm yoga
B: n/a
L: banana with walnuts
D: banana, spinach, spring mix, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, palta.  Delicious.

Binge, baby, binge

I've been using food to stay awake, to destress, and distract.  It works for the staying awake and the distracting, but it doesn't lessen the stress, and it doesn't make me feel better.  I was doing so well!  Down to 135.2!  Ha!  I think more sleep would definitely help.

Today:
W: 143.2
E: pm yoga
B: hot water with lemon
L: spinach, spring mix, black beans, corn, salsa, spices, banana, walnuts
D: bananas, 3 pieces of bread with pb and honey, 1 piece of bread with palta!!! :)
S: hummus, chips

Eating does not equal sleeping.

Apparently I'm trying to eat enough to compensate for my lack of sleep.  Too bad it doesn't work that way!

Today:
W: 139.8
E: 17 minute walk/run, pm yoga
B: banana and nuts
L: green smoothie
D: beans, bananas, bread with peanut butter and honey
S: more beans, chips, banana

Gozo.

Joyful day. Not anything out of the ordinary, but I had some of those glimpses of REALITY that make me so happy.  Love my job!  And I made a mini-batch of pb popcorn instead of a whole one.  And I didn't finish the chips and chili that J and J left behind.  I put it away!  I'm learning! :)

Today:
W: 139.2 (yep, that's +4 pounds...binges do that!)
B and L: green smoothie
D: left over bindi aloo and rice, 2 bananas, walnuts, grapes
S: bowl of peanut butter popcorn, banana, some chips and chili

Love is hope

I had a pretty good day. Good run with Cassandra, after some essentrics.  School went well, and afterwards I did some grocery shopping and the four of us went to India Palace to celebrate Amy's year of freedom!  I binged on hummus and Once Upon A Time after we got home.  But I was reminded in the show (I'm all caught up now!) that LOVE IS HOPE.  I have hope that tomorrow will be even better.  I have hope that someday I'll really get over my binge eating habits.  Se que el Senor me ama, y eso me da esperanza tambien.

Today:
W: 135.2
E: 2 mile run (about 30 minutes...need to go faster!), essentrics l/b, pm yoga
B and L: green smoothie
D: banana, raisins, bindi aloo
S: nuts and rasins, lots of carrots and two whole packages of hummus!  Totally not mindful eating.

I really can't believe it myself!

I did essentrics and went running before weighing in this morning.  It felt SO GOOD TO MOVE!!! And then when I weighed in, I weighed 135.2!  I thought I was at about 137.  Happy surprise! :) The best part, though, wasn't the weight loss (I didn't eat lunch yesterday, and I did eat a lot tonight, so I wouldn't be surprised if I subir again tomorrow) but how I felt.  I felt energetic and full of life and happiness and love, all because I'd taken the time to take care of my body.  Cassy wants to go running with me, so we're going at 6:30 tomorrow.


Today:
W: 135.2
E: 23 minute 1.85 mile run, essentrics arms and abs
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
S: banana, pb
D: black beans, tomatoes, corn and spices,  banana, apple, whole wheat tortilla with refried beans

Love me my Sundays (J.R., that one's for you!)

I don't know why, but every time that Beth is mad, I automatically assume that she's mad at me.  Both Cassandra and Amy told me that it's not my fault or my responsibility how she acts/reacts, but I still blame myself.  Beth came upstairs and asked if we could talk, and she wasn't mad at me, just hurting, and that's how she shows her pain.  I love her.  And Amy. And Cassandra. I'm pretty darn blessed all around.

I'm also pretty darn spacey all around!  In spite of agreeing to help with food for Break the Fast, and in spite of Joseph's dad saying something about fasting last night, I forgot about Fast Sunday!  I ate breakfast, remembered and skipped lunch, but ate at 5. Jason said that they took the 24 hour part out of Gospel Principles, but I didn't make the 2 meals part either. Good thing that there's another Sunday in a week!  I was still blessed with an outpouring of the Spirit and lots of things to think about and do.  Bendiciones.

Today:
W: 137.2
E: pm yoga
B: banana and walnuts
L: n/a
D: salad at Break the Fast, pasta with basil and tomato, bread with olive oil, vinegar and basil.
S: banana and plain popcorn

Courage and Sacrifice

On Friday we had our Kinnect dance assembly and classes.  My class was in Julianna's room, and I noticed one of her quotes:  Courage is the strength to try something new.

The something new that I need to be more courageous about is getting enough sleep.  I sure didn't last night.  But in spite of that and eating hummus, todavia baje de peso.

Other things I need to have courage about:  loving people for who they are/trying to see them for who they really are, doing my thesis, letting myself be me with people, especially boys.

"Great power requires great sacrifice," is a Once Upon a Time quote.  I need to live up to my privileges.  That does and will require sacrifice.

Today:

W: 137.2

E: pm yoga (didn't do it last night!)

B: n/a

L: banana, Red Robin salad: greens, tomato, palta, olive (which Mathis said! brilliant child!)

S: oranges, bananas, pb

D: 2 fried taco shells, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, applesauce

S: banana, pb, few carrots with hummus

Sharing!

I LOVE having Cassy in our home!  She's so enthusiastic and happy and loving.  I got to google chat with Hermana Luz and Hermana Ana also.  Hna Luz said that she hopes that God blesses me with many blessings (sounds so much better in Spanish) because I'm helping Cassandra.  I told her that I already have my blessings because she's here!  And it's true.  It's been fun to watch her interact with Amy and Beth too.  LOVE my girls!  And Mathis, John and Jesse are here (I'm doing homework, can't you tell?) and Cassy's learning sign language from Mathis! I love sharing languages, laughs, home, etc.

During row party today at lunch, J.C. wanted to try my green smoothie.  He's tasted one before and loves them! So 4/5 of the kids who came up for lunch tried it.  J.C. has suggested before that we make them together for a class party.  Um, let me think about that...let my kids MAKE something that is GOOD for them and tastes delicious?!  Of course!  They've earned their points for a party, and are well on their way to earning a treat.  Maybe I'll suggest that they wait until the 16th so that we can have green smoothies to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!  I love sharing the things that I love with people that I love.

I've noticed that I am less prone to stress eating when I'm feeling connected to people.  If I've spent real time talking to a real person, I don't need to try to fill my heart with food (it never works, by the way).

Today:
W:138.2
B and L: green smoothie.  I've been making them a little bigger these days and taking almost a quart for lunch and drinking what ever doesn't fit for breakfast.  Works wonderfully!  I also made my first banana/kiwi green smoothie.  Good stuff!  And the kids liked it too!
S: cherry tomatoes and carrot sticks
D: spinach, spring mix, canned corn, tomatoes and black beans, spices (cumin, onion, garlic and chili powder), banana
S: most of two mandarin oranges (shared 2-3 pieces with Mathis!)
S: another orange, hummus, some of Cassy's yummy lime chips, a banana

Cansada, pero feliz!

Cassandra's plane didn't arrive until after 3am.  By the time we'd gotten her suitcase, driven by temple square, come home and I'd done yoga and gotten in bed, it was after 5am.  I woke up 2 hours later, and was so disoriented that I was trying to look at the calendar to figure out if I needed to get ready for school yet or not, or if there was school today!

I made it to school, and in spite of being noise-sensitive and super cansada, I made it through just fine.  I considered contacting Stefinee to postpone our appointment, but went anyway.  Amy drove Cassy and I up to campus and she read her book while Cassy explored, and I met with Stefinee.  I was on the right track with my outline...just have  A TON of reading and writing to do now.  La Cassandra es tan buena!  I was a little worried that she would expect me to take care of her all the time...I wish I could more, but I'm glad that she's adventurous and self-sufficient.  She went wandering around campus all by herself.

After my meeting, we met up and got a book from the library for my thesis reading, and then ran into John and Jesse and Mathis on the way back to the car.  LOVE my family!  When he recognized me, Mathis did his adorable little happy dance.  And he gave all three of us kisses.:)

I got to talk to Beth for a little while while Cassy talked to the Maka, and then the three of us (Beth, Cassy, and I) went to Allens.  I made marshmellow popcorn and ate hummus and carrots while talking to Cassy who ate some of the popcorn, and we both had our aguita caliente.  I love spending time with Cassy...love speaking Spanish and really getting to know her.  She says I'm the same as I was on the mission (de vista y de ser).

I think it's interesting that I'm so tired that I can't even think about hunger.  I ate three times today, but the predominant feeling in my body now is cansansia, no hambre.  La Cassy me dijo que estoy flaquita, y que me ve bien.  Ya le conte de mi dieta.  I love how straightforward Chileans are!  And that I can be that way too without worrying about being judged or mocked.

Today:
140.6
pm yoga
B/L: green smoothie
D: carrots and hummus