The Last of the Vegan Junk Food.

I finished off my bread and peanut butter tonight.  I haven't knowingly eaten any dairy, egg, or meat products this month.  I feel like that's a huge step in the right direction.  I still have some cream cheese frosting in the fridge, and when I saw it today, even though I wanted something sweet, it wasn't even really an option.  I'm totally plant-based right now.

I'm glad to have all my vegan junk food out of the house.  And excited to start a new month of progress on Sunday!  I'm going to try doing the 6 week challenge.  I'm hoping that easing into it through August will make the transition easier, and help keep me on this challenge!! :)

Healthy
S: 4.5 hours
E: n/a
8:00 banana and walnuts
11:30 2 small bananas and a bunch of grapes
7:00 tuscan white bean soup, spinach with walnuts, blackberries, and pomegranate, sample of herbal tea and some rock sugar
9:00 container of dal, 2.5 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey, delicious dragonfruit herbal tea!


Debt-free
Paid mortgage today.  Know how much I have to spend until next payday.  It feels good to know where my money is going!

Minimalist
Didn't buy anything at Walmart, even though I went twice today.  Did buy herbal tea.  It's amazing!!!

Real intent

I read Moroni 10 today for my Book of Mormon study.  I hadn't realized how close I was to finishing the Book of Mormon.  This chapter is chock full of amazing things, but in skimming over it again this afternoon, verse 4 stood out.  I don't know how many times I've read and recited this scripture.  It is so powerful!  God will hear and answer our prayers if we pray with a sincere heart, real intent, and having faith in Christ.  What a beautiful promise.

The "real intent" part caught me today.  I have been Eating to Live, exercising, and getting good sleep with half-hearted intent.  Yes, I do have some emotional issues that I deal with by eating.  But they don't get better or go away that way.  I need to live my plans with real intent.  I know that they are inspired and that if I live them, I will be healthier and happier.

On the mission once, President Tanner told me to "Plow In," when I was being timid.  I need to really plow in, missionary style (focused, disciplined and animada!) to doing my very best on health, school, thesis, and church.  Todo saldra bien!

Health
S: 6.5 hours
E: pm yoga
11:30 2 bananas
4:30 spring mix, tomatoes, palta, chili.  So, so good.

Debt-free
Didn't spend $1 on renting a temple dress like I'd thought about doing.  Mine worked fine!

Minimalist
Today's Herbie of the Week quoted Michael Pollan, who said "Eat real food, mostly plants, not too much."  I think that not over-eating is a good forum for continuing my minimalist journey.  And I did well with it today.  One day at a time.  Mas bendicida que nunca!

Day 10: Fragile and radiant

So at the VMAs (which I have never in my life watched) this year, Miley Cyrus put on quite a show, so they say.  I've liked a Miley song or two in my life, so when her latest came out, I started watching the video to see if I liked this one.  I couldn't make it through.  Didn't want to make it through it.  It does not invite light.

I've read blog posts and fb posts about Miley's VMAs performance.  I don't think that she should have done what she did, but I do know that we all do things for a reason.  While I don't agree with her decision at all, I'm pretty sure she's lost and hurting, however she might view herself.

One of the blogs I read said "I'm not saying she's right.  I'm not cheering for her in this moment.  But she's not a criminal.  Not a tragedy that hurt millions.  She's just a girl.  Just like me.  Who probably forgot, like the rest of us, what a fragile, radiant thing she really is."

I love that line.  We are all fragile and radiant.  I saw a picture of dancing toes today, and it made me feel radiant.  Running today made me feel radiant.  I also ate 9 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey when I wasn't hungry.  I'm fragile (emotionally, if not physically!:) and I eat to deal and avoid.  But I can and will make more radiant choices in the future.  And when I'm especially fragile, I can get up and try again.

Healthy:
S: 6.5
E: 35 minute walk run on the BST.
11:30 spring mix, black beans, tomatoes, grapes, strawberries
5:00-7:00 3 plums, pesto with roasted veggies, steamed squash, banana smoothie, 9 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey.

Debt-free:
No money spent today! So proud of Beth for working when she doesn't want to, to earn money to get out too.  I also re-found a house that might be a good fixer-upper to rent.  I've been thinking about that lately.  Buying to rent.  Need to talk to John.  And to Spencer and Angie.

Minimalist:
I don't need a gym membership.  Trail walking/hiking/running and mowing the lawn make me happy!

Day 9: No more my powers abuse

I binged last night, no doubt about it.  I totally, knowingly, consciously, abused my God-given body.  I should have woken up feeling downright awful.  My stomach sure wasn't happy with me.  And yet, I was still blessed to wake up with the words to Know This, That Every Soul is Free in my head.  I haven't heard it lately.  I haven't been thinking about it.  It was tender mercy from a God who knows and loves me, and always, ALWAYS is watching out for me.

Here is one part that stood out to me:
May we no more our pow'rs abuse,
But ways of truth and goodness choose;
Our God is pleased when we improve
His grace and seek his perfect love.

I want to please God.  I want to choose truth and goodness.  I want to no more my powers abuse.
It's a daily decision.  Tomorrow may be more difficult, and I know that I'm not going to be instantly perfect (we're here to struggle to grow, you know! :), but I had a good, non-powers-abusing day.  And I'm grateful.

Healthy
S: 6.5 hours
W: I'm sure I gained several pounds since yesterday morning.  I'm going to try not weighing myself for a while.  Maybe even until September 30.  Vamos a ver.
E: pm yoga
11:30 a couple of strawberries and grapes.  Still super stuffed.
4:30 spring mix, strawberries, grapes, tomatoes, black beans, mushrooms and onions.  Delicious.

Debt-free
Didn't spend money today.  Got my check request ready to submit tomorrow, so that I can get reimbursed for some of the $ I've spent for school.

Minimalist
Only 2 meals today.  Didn't give into the temptation to eat more.

Day 8: The Bright Side.

My missionary brother is doing a great job of focusing on the positives.  I could talk about how I ate too much last night, how I didn't do much running today, etc, and that would all be true.  BUT, I have eaten totally plant-based since the beginning of the month (the bread at Natalie's reception may not have been, but everything else I KNOW is), and I am losing weight overall.  I got out and moved this morning when I wasn't feeling very energetic.  There's always a bright side.   And even though I binged from cansansia and avoidance tonight, I'm protecting myself from cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc. with every plant-strong bite I take.

Healthy:
S:  6.5 hours?
E: 41 minute walk with a little bit of running
7:30 2 bananas
11:30 dal, pineapple, 4 zucchini cookies
5:30-10:30 spring mix, black beans, tomatoes, grapes, strawberries, onions, mushrooms, banana smoothie, lots of zucchini cookies, 6  pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey.


Debt-free: Spent $20.80 on groceries that should last me a week. :)


Minimalist:  Didn't buy things just because they looked good.  Need to work on being minimalist in my food intake.  Totally ate for stress and cansansia today.

Day 7: Sweet Sabbath

I had a lovely experience going to the family ward.  I think it was mostly my attitude, but I felt SO MUCH BETTER there than when I went last July.  I think it's the place for me.

Healthy:
S: 9 hours!
W: 149.4
6-9 dal, lettuce, zucchini, squash, all natural zucchini cookies, a banana.  Ate more than I needed, but not stuffed.


Debt-free:
No money spent today:)


Minimalist:
Wore an old outfit to church today and felt pretty and fine.  No need for new clothes! :)

Day 6: Trying again

I didn't exercise today...too busy, and exhausted! (Emotional days wear you out...today was Shannon Peterson Sevison's funeral).  But I ate to live, and felt much better, of course!

Healthy
W: 152.8
12:00 banana, peach
7:00 banana, romaine with black beans and roasted veggies, 3 peaches.

Debt-free: Didn't spend any $.

Minimalist: Keep wearing my purple shirt.  It's a favorite for sure, and I'm glad that I don't have to have new clothes to feel cute.

Day 5: Miles to go

I ran/walked this morning, and it was beautiful.  I also weighed in at under 150, which is the first time that's happened in a LONG time.  But I've been EXHAUSTED all day, and let that serve as an excuse to eat too much, and not the best food, either.  

I have miles to go before I reach my fitness and health goals, but tomorrow is another day, and with running, eccentrics, etc., I feel like I'm on the right track.  Just gotta put in those miles consistently.  One of those "miles" I need to put in daily is the hours of sleep I have gotten.

Healthy

S: 4.5 hours

E: 35 minute wal/run, bsn trail

8:00 banana, walnuts

11:30 spring mix, black beans, roasted veggies, pineapple

4:30 soy milk, berries, citric acid, lemon flavoring, sweetened with agave

6:30 Bhindi alloo.

7:00 2 bananas and peanut butter

Debt-free  Cash plan!

Minimalist- Too much food.  

Day 4: (internet not working)

This is a post I wrote yesterday, but couldn't post, as the internet was out temporarily.

Recording Miracles

A few years ago, President Eyring encouraged us to keep a record of how we can see God's hand in our lives.  It inspired me to keep a journal on a consistent basis.  My journal is not solely dedicated to writing about God's hand in our lives, but I do have things recorded there that will be a resource of faith in times of need for strength for myself and my children.  

Today I realized that this blog is a record of miracles, too.  It's a miracle that I'm becoming healthier, that I'm losing weight, that I'm getting fitter.  These are all miracles, and my blog is a record of miracles.  

Healthy

S: 5.5 hours.  Desperately needing more.

W: 150

E: 15 min. 1.25 mile run; 17 min. 1.25 mile walk/run, eccentrics l/b

8:00 walnuts, apple

11:30 spring mix, black beans, roasted veggies of deliciousness

4:30 more roasted veggies of deliciousness, banana smoothie

Debt-free-Still paying cash.  It feels good to know what I've got and where it's going. 

Minimalist-Non-gym running/walking.  I may get a rec pass for the swimming, but I'm loving being outside right now!  (especially after it has rained, as was the case this evening!) Nature helps me feel closer to God, as does taking care of my body.  I'm so blessed. 

Day 3: 1st day of school! :)

Healthy
S: 5.5 (need more...I'm so tired!)
W: 151.2
Wa: enough, I think
E: 33 minutes of mostly running, essentrics l/b
7:30 banana with walnuts
11:50 spring mix with black beans and roasted veggies, grapes
5:40 more roasted veggies, 1 banana,+smoothie (2 frozen bananas, almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon.

Debt-free
Cash, baby :)



Minimalist:  I wanted to eat bread and peanut butter after my evening meal, because I was tired and needing energy.  But I realized (and acknowledge!) that I didn't need food, so I didn't eat!

Day 2: Healthiness helps with holiness.

As I was studying this morning, the following thought came:  Running helps me be closer to God.
It's true.  I am feeling so good and so loved and at peace these days.

Healthy:
S: 5.5 hours
W: 151.4
E: 38 minute walk/run on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  Beautiful.  Essentrics l/b.
10:30 watermelon, cantaloupe, and strawberries! Delicious.
2:00 magic cauliflower, green grapes, Pink lady apple, walnuts.
6:00 cafe rio salad
10:00 taste tests and pick ins of roasted veggies, olives, and chickpeas.

Wa:  6 plus bottles (5 is a little less than a gallon)

Debt-free:
Still sticking to cash!

Minimalist:
Didn't buy a new magazine.  Put the book I was thinking about buying back, and didn't get it either!

Day 1: I love running.

Missy asked me today if I'd lost weight.  Um, no.  She said I look good.  I told her I've been running.  Maybe even the week of running that I've done has made a difference in how toned I am.  Regardless of how it makes me look, I LOVE how it makes me feel.  I ran this evening, slow, slow, slow, (tired, worn-out, and hurty footed/ankled), but enjoying the quiet, the peace, the oneness of being outside and moving my body.  It felt so good.

Essentrics also felt fabulous this evening, and I think (again, still) that running and essentrics are what I need to do.  I sometimes think about adding other things (TUI or Tara Stiles yoga DVDs) but I love Sahra and Miranda's focus on the exercises themselves, not showing skin.  NOT that I think the TUI girls and Tara aren't great trainers/leaders.  I think that they are, and that they have amazingly fit and beautiful bodies, and are doing such great work promoting REAL health, and helping others so much! And I don't think that their intent is to distract from the amazing things that they're doing, by the things that they wear.  But after tonight's talk, Quick to Observe, by Elder Bednar, one way that I think that I can be quick to observe is to let myself focus on the beauty and joy of movement, while appreciating the modesty of Sahra and her girls.  Essentrics!!!

Today:
S: 6.5
W: 153.8
Wa: At least 5 bottles
E: 30 minute slog of loveliness, essentrics a/a
8:00 banana
11:45 spring mix, grape tomatoes, mushrooms and onions, chili
8:00 squash, strawberries

ETL time!

I realized today that my anniversary of going through the temple is exactly 6 weeks from tomorrow. I want to consecrate those 6 weeks to real ETL, 6+ hours of sleep, daily running and essentrics. I know I will feel better as I do.

Healthy
S: 6.5 hours
E: pm yoga
3:00 banana
6:30 rice, beans, lettuce, pico, smidgen of palta, more rice
9:00 more rice
10:00 2 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey

Debt-free
Didn't buy anything.  Not hard to avoid debt on a Sunday! :)

Minimalist
I'm going to be a library for Monica...and just thought that I should give her books that she loves that I don't need!  I love giving things I like to a good, new home! :)

Too much.

I was so tired today, and ate and ate.  So I'm going to watch a short show (instead of a full-length video) to relax) and then I'm going to go to bed! :)

Healthy
W: 151.6
E: pm yoga
I ate all day: banana, veggie pizza slice, spring mix with canelli beans, grapes, 4 peaches, strawberries, LOTS of bread with brushetta, and some other veggies, couple of strawberries, a banana, 2 more slices of veggie pizza, and a little more than half a quart of canned peaches.

Debt-free
Paid for church groceries with cash.  I love knowing where things are going.

Minimalist
Took some things to DI (including that orange shirt I never wear...tried it on to be sure I didn't want it.  I don't.  I also took my lake punch sweater.  Good memories, but I haven't worn it for years.

Progress, not perfection.

Lindsay's blog post today was perfect.  My favorite line: "Don't get so invested in utopia that positive change in the right direction becomes a downer."

I didn't sleep much last night, and was wanting to eat vegan junk food today (I wanted more than one slice of plant-based pizza and bread with peanut butter and honey), but I didn't give in.  That's progress.

I gained weight since yesterday, and only slept for 3 hours last night,  but I haven't eaten anything non-plant-based since August 1st.  That's progress.

I didn't wake up in time to do my normal walk/run on the shoreline trial, but I did slog for 15 minutes in the am, and walk later. That's progress.

I'm not perfect, but I'm progressing.

Healthy
S: 3 hours!
Wa: 6 + bottles
W: 152.2
E: 15 minute am slog (1.25 miles), 20 minute pm walk
7:45 banana (love that I'm getting growly in the am! Means that my body is ready for food!)
11:30 spring mix with rinsed black beans, strawberries, grapes, mushrooms, and balsamic vinegar, 1 slice of Tuscan White Bean and Basil Pizza.
6:00 big plate of buffalo cauliflower (made without oil this time!) and pan-fried squash; cookie dough (1 banana, oats, raisins, almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon, walnuts), 1 bowl of plain air-popped popcorn, more buffalo cauliflower.

Debt-free
Got my cash out for the month.  Trying to think ahead more to what I'll need $ for (feeding people, wedding gifts, etc.) so that I'm more prepared.

Minimalist
I went to town on my itunes today, getting rid of songs I'd never heard of (I got a lot of music from my friend's ex when they were together and I was over at their house one time), or didn't love.  I still have more down-sizing to do in that department, but it's definitely more minimalist than it was! PROGRESS! :)

Another day of progress.

Healthy
W: 151.4 :)
E: 36 minute walk/run on the shoreline trail.  Walked and ran north, ran all the way back from the 1st gate.  It feels so good to run!
10:00 apple with walnuts
12:00 banana smoothie; spring mix with dal; 2 slices of bread with homemade bruschetta :)  LOVE having basil plants!
4:15 3 pieces of tuscan white bean pizza with basil and tomatoes.  Didn't love the crust.
Too many carbs today...need more salad and veggies! :)


Debt-free
Budgeted.  Paid tuition instead of going into more debt for it.  I should be out out without too much stress by my December paycheck.  I love being in control, telling my money where to go. (And next time I have a guest, I will cook for them, and do pure-plant based/things I have, so I'm not spending so much money on things I don't eat myself).


Minimalist
Went to the water conservation gardens in Orem with JMAX.  Did you know that Utahans use 60% of their water on landscaping?! Yikes! I got some great ideas about how to landscape using plants that require less water.  I'm excited to try them out!  (especially wisteria, trumpet vine, black-eyed susans, and mulching).

Keep going.

Healthy
W: 154.2
E: 30 minute walk/run on Bonneville shoreline trail. My knee is feeling better! :) (Used essential oils today).  pm yoga (feeling headachy, so I didn't do essentrics).
10:00 banana
12:00 lettuce with dal, bowl of zucchini basil soup, lots of grapes
4:30 pan-fried yellow squash, bit of buffalo cauliflower, ETL cookie dough (2 bananas, oats, vanilla almond milk, cinnamon, raisins, walnuts).

Debt-free
Didn't spend anything, and got paid from PSD and Beth.  Lots of money!  Need to be intentional in what I do with it now.

Minimalist
Trying to lose weight so that I don't have to buy new clothes for school!

Real food heals.

Healthy
W: 155.2
E: pm yoga
12:00 banana with walnuts
2:15 buffalo roasted cauliflower
6:00 bean burrito, refried beans, spanish rice

I wasn't feeling hungry, but ate at noon, and felt better from my food hangover almost instantly.  Real food heals!  And I didn't eat chips and salsa at dinner.  And told my friends about my eating habits so that they're not surprised when I don't indulge when we get together next time.

I'm excited about trying E2's basil zucchini tomorrow.  It's smelling delicious from the crockpot right now!

Debt-free
Using CC still.  Today it was for cauliflower and chocolate chips, and then a cheap dinner. Regifted b and bw soap for a bridal shower, though, so I haven't spent as much as I could.

Minimalist
Didn't overeat.
Still thinking about how to use milk crates for books, gardening, etc.

Ran today!

Healthy
S: 6.5 hours
E: 1.25 mile run (14 minutes...super slow, but I ran the whole way, and I'm just getting started again!), essentrics a/a
12:00 walnuts, bowl of granola with almond milk
3:00 trail mix (lots of nuts)
4:00 pan-fried yellow squash (salt, but no oil), and a few green grapes
7:30 banana
10:15 2 very large bowls of granola with almond milk.  Think I'm going to go unprocessed for a while. Spices don't count.
11:00 TONS of salsa and corn chips.  Finished the salsa.  Donated the remaining chips to Amy.  Tomorrow is a new day! :)

Also, apparently I get angry when Amy makes comments about my eating habits.  She's right, I do.  I don't love being criticized for doing something that I feel is right for me, in jest or otherwise.  Just because I do things differently, doesn't mean that either of us is right or wrong, we're just different.  Thankfully, we can be, and are, good friends who eat very different things.


Debt-free
Used the CC for groceries today.  Beth's sending a big check for 4 months of future rent, and we get paid Thursday, so things should lighten up soon.  I haven't done as great about not buying things I don't need, as I've been buying to feed others.  That should ease up shortly.


Minimalist
While I was waiting to donate blood, I deleted contacts in my phone that I'm not in contact with, nor need to be anymore.

Back in the Saddle

Healthy
5:30 banana, taste-testing, and a grape...I was getting clumsy and thought it might be lack-of-food related.
6:30 2 servings of rice with dal.  Lemon bars not even a temptation

Debt-free 
No spending on Sundays! :) Makes it easy.  My sister is well on her way too!!!  So proud of her!

Minimalist
I've been trying to think about what to do with books.  I know I don't need/want all that I've got.  I wanted to get a smaller bookshelf (I've got 2 large ones full right now, plus 7 boxes of books under my bed that are my parents' and more books at school!), one that is portable.  Today the thought came to use milk crates.  When I've used them in the past, I've loved them.  And even though getting more milk crates would be getting more stuff, it would eliminate the need to transport bookshelves (they would double as their own very sturdy moving boxes!) if/when I move.  I've been making lists of books I love and want to keep in four main categories, and think that that may be an easy way to organize them in the crates too.  :)  I've also been wanting to call my local library and see if they want any of my books. I don't want them to go to waste...they're good, but not ones that I need to have in my possession.

Help. I need it.

I really need to work on sleep.  I didn't get enough, so I ate to stay awake to watch Charmed.  Bad plan.

Healthy
E: n/a
2:00 cherries and grapes
8:00-12:00+ 2 natural granola bars, 5 pieces of bread with peanut butter and honey, roasted cauliflower with buffalo sauce (DELICIOUS!  And my carnivorous roomie loved them too!)

Debt-free
Used the CC for gas and groceries.

Minimalist
n/a

Trying to do better.

So apparently my body didn't love the overdose of salt and fat in my corn chips last night.  Or my bad sleeping habits are catching up to me (that's something I need to start recording here, so I can be accountable and do better), but I felt off all day.  Hope my better eating today will help.

Healthy
E: pm yoga
12:00 cookie dough (1 banana, almond milk, vanilla, oats, raisins)
7:00 tomatoes, mushrooms, and carrots with hummus; a few grapes; bowl of peaches with spices and pecans

Debt-free 
No spending today, although I was sure thinking about all kinds of foods I could buy and eat.  Didn't do it.

Minimalist
Didn't buy things I didn't need. :)

Step back.

I overate tonight.  And I wasn't hungry, or stressed, or anything. Just did it out of habit, I suppose.  Need to remember to ask myself if I really need something, if it's what I really want. Tomorrow is another day! :)

Healthy
E: essentrics a/a, swimming
11:00 banana and walnuts
2:00 celery, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers with homemade hummus; red grapes
3:30 cookie dough (1 banana, applesauce, raisins, oatmeal, cinnamon, vanilla)
7:30 strawberries, pineapple
9:30 LOTS of chips and salsa

Debt-free
Still paying with cash...it's all going to be just fine! So blessed.

Minimalist
Gave away a book I like. Don't need it and wanted to share it.

Keep going, birthday girl!

Today was my 32nd b-day.  For a single Mormon girl, that's kinda old.  And it didn't help that my brother (3 siblings down) and his wife found out what gender their in utero baby is today.  Happy birthday to me! I'm an aunt to another baby boy...but have none babies of my own.

I really do love my nieces and nephews, and I really am excited for Jet and Than, but I also had some definitely bitter moments today.  I was headed to the temple and couldn't get there and couldn't get there.  Finally I was driving in what I hoped was the right direction, and came around the bend to see it right there.  I just need to keep going.  That's what I felt right before I found ETL, when I was searching for a health plan that felt right.  That's what I need to keep doing now.

Healthy
E: 40+minute hike, pm yoga (goal tomorrow: DO ESSENTRICS!:)
11:00 banana and strawberries
2:00 grapes and walnuts
8:00 big plate of zucchini, cherries, walnuts and raisins (my b-day cake!)

I keep being amazed that I'm not binging or eating processed foods.  I thought that I needed/wanted a treat, and I actually had the plate out, 2 pieces of bread on it, and my knife in the peanut butter, and then asked myself "Is this what I really want?" And the answer was no.  So I put the knife in the sink, the bread back in the bag, and the peanut butter and honey back in the pantry.  I do NOT need bad-for-me food to celebrate and feel good.  I ate some raisins and walnuts and was good.  It's kind of ironic that I'm expecting to mess up hard-core soon.  I am being so blessed with no desire to eat bad food.  SO BLESSED.

Debt-free
Still paying with cash!  Dollar store gift bags are the way to go...as is regifting.  I spent $10ish on baby, and am going to regift some birthday bbw stuff for mama for tomorrow's baby shower!

Minimalist
Didn't buy palta because I didn't need it or want it.  Working on my DI pile...need to contribute more to it.  If I don't wear it, I don't need it!

New ways to minimize!

Is it bad that I want to minimize my people-I-spend-time-with list?  I had my bday party today...spent all day cooking food I don't eat for it.  I love to cook, and I love people, but by the time the party came around, I was pretty much done.  Next year, I want to just spend time with maybe 4-5 people, and call it good.  That being said, I'm glad that the people who came did, and I had a good time!  Here's to being 32!


Healthy
W: didn't weigh! Feeling fitter though...my abs and waist are making their comeback!
E: 30 + minute walk, pm yoga twice...love how it helps my back.
2:00 1/2 cup rice, stir fry veggies, soy sauce, Chinese 5 spice
6-10 grazing-ish.  Potato and grape while cooking.  A couple of bites of peaches with JJMAX, grapes, strawberries, and cherries at the party

I was SO blessed not to WANT food I didn't need.  I wasn't more than vaguely tempted, and more often I wasn't remotely tempted by all the bacon, sausage, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin muffins, etc.  Even when we were watching Charmed, post-party, and I thought about getting an apple and some peanut butter, it just didn't sound like something I wanted.  It sounded good, but not necessary.  I feel that Heavenly Father is blessing my efforts and changing my heart and desires.

Debt-free
Spent too much money on the party, but I'm still not spending money I don't have.

Minimalist
Realized that I don't need to have lots of people for my birthday party, nor do I need to cook to impress others...cinnamon rolls would have sufficed!

Tender Mercies

Healthy
W: 153
E: 35 minutes of hiking, essentrics a/a (LOVE the way it makes me feel! I would love to become an instructor some day)
9:00 banana and walnuts
12:00 spring mix, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, carrots, hummus
2:00 banana cookie dough (3 bananas, cup of oats, some raisins, applesauce, vanilla, and cinnamon)
6:00 2 apples with lots of peanut butter
8:00 3-4 squares of graham crackers at FHE

Today was a eat, eat, eat day. I made the mistake of eating breakfast when I wasn't hungry, which then gave me sub-concious license to just eat whenever, regardless of hunger or lack thereof.  I was tired and kept eating.  I did stick to plant-based, though, in spite of the temptation of deliciously evil cream cheese frosting lurking in the fridge.  Sugar is my gate-way drug.  Gotta stay away.


Debt-free
The Lord's Tender Mercies are real!!! And the timing does help us recognize them!  Beth was able to send her rent money today just in time for me to use it for b-day dinner things instead of my credit card. Getting out!!!


Minimalist
Going to use Ben's old shirt and my own jeans for tomorrow's hipster b-day party. Don't need any more clothes, especially ones I won't use again, regardless of how cheap they are!

I think this accomplishment fits under all three categories, but I was able to resist the temptation to buy corn chips, vegan ice cream, etc. etc.  I didn't need it for health, frugality or minimalism.   I am not perfect at these things by any means, but Heavenly Father is blessing and helping me so much.  I'm doing this with His help!

Also, I think that I'm going to try weighing only once a month.  Even though I gained since yesterday (and probably gained more today), I'm feeling fitter and happier being plant-based and exercising.  I get to choose!  So I'll try to resist weighing in until September 1st.

Happy Sabbath!

I sure love Sundays!  It was lovely to sleep, to go to church, and spend time with friends.

Healthy
W: 152
5:00 spring mix, tomatoes, olives, carrots, hummus, cherries
6:00 banana smoothie

I brought my own food to Break the Fast to make sure that I had things that I could eat.

Debt-free
Payed cash for fast offerings :) (I never go into debt for tithing or fast offerings, but I'm liking the cash system).


Minimalist
Wore a dress I haven't worn in a while.  I think I like it enough to keep it.  Good to know in my quest to minimize.  Some clothes I definitely don't want to keep.

Blessed.

Long, good day.

Healthy
W: 153.4
E: 30 minute walk, pm yoga
9:00 walnuts, 2 bananas
1:00 spinach with carrots, pears, grapes, candied pecans, and balsamic vinegarette dressing.  Hummus, olive tepanade, veggies, and a bit of flat bread.

 Debt-free
No credit card usage for gas!  It's all working out.

Feeling Free

The last two days I have not been severely tempted to eat bad-for-me foods or to spend money I don't have.  So my live-foot prayers have been of gratitude rather than for escape.  I was surprised that I didn't lose more weight since yesterday...I'm feeling free.  I swear my biceps are more defined, and my vision is clearer.  There are bills to be paid in the near future, but I know about them, am planning for them, and am feeling in control of my money...I'm the one that's telling it where to go.

Freedom feels good.


Healthy
W: 154.2
E: 30 minute walk with Mandy, pm yoga
10:00 2 bananas and some walnuts
2:00 can of beans
DIDN'T eat tonight at Cafe Rio with Mallory (her good example helps!) because I wasn't hungry.
DO need to work on sleep.

 Debt-free
Keeping track of money spent and places next paycheck needs to go.

Minimalist
Went to the library and read magazines I didn't buy instead of buying and eating food I didn't need.

Hope

I love new beginnings, trying again, etc.  For the last couple of months, I've eaten whatever, whenever, and lots of it.  I've gotten back up to my former baseline weight, and am packing more than I need to.  I haven't had as much energy as I need/want, and have often felt sluggish, and sick, including stomach issues, nausea, and a general lack of animo.  

As part of my Year of Plenty Project (today's the first official day!:), I'm working on Eating to Live.  I'm trying to take it one day at a time, being more gentle with myself, and not giving up completely when I make a mistake.

For the first time in a long time, I'm feeling hopeful about this.  

Here are today's health stats:

W: 155.4

E: 30 minutes of walking/running Bethy and I's loop (and some park walking to get in the rest of my time), walking to and from Mandy's and to and from Ben's.  pm yoga.

12:00 banana

2:30 spring mix, cherry tomatoes, water sauteed mushrooms and onions, black beans with garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder.  Fresh peach from Susie for dessert.  DELICIOUS!

6:30 banana and some walnuts.

HEALTH HISTORY (October 17, 2011)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2011

Health History/Day of Decision

It's been over 3 years since I've posted. Obviously, I haven't been part of the blog-writing craze!! The past few month have been life-changing in terms of health, and I've been searching for a way to document the things I'm learning, and how I'm changing. So, I'm going to give blogging a shot and see if it's a good fit for said documentation. I also want to share what I'm learning!!

Growing up, I lived on the edge of a small town in AZ, and did a lot of running around and playing. Eventually, I discovered books (still LOVE to read), and read more than ran, and began eating more of the unhealthy desserts and fatty foods than the salads that my amazing-cook-of-a-mother made. (I remember my salad-avoidance trick was to not put dressing on my salad, and then to put it back in the bowl when my parents weren't looking. Unfortunately, my sister got caught trying to do the same thing, tattled on me, and we both had to eat salad from then on.)

By third grade I started realizing that I was chubbier than many of the kids at school, but it didn't seem to faze me. I was never obese, but always had at least a few extra pounds. That phase petered out in high school, when I began running with the cross-country and track teams, and then got pneumonia at the end of my sophomore year. I graduated from high school at about 130 lbs, 5'8ish". I wore a 9/10 in jeans. At that point, I didn't exercise on a regular basis, but I was active, and didn't overeat very often. I was at a pretty healthy weight.

I moved to Montana for the summer right after high school, and eating ramen EVERY day took it's toll. I gained my freshman 15 before I ever began college! I went to school in Idaho, and working early morning custodial combined with the dark, cold, and junk-food-eating-college-lifestyle contributed to another few pounds. I think I got up to 160 at one point, but then kind of leveled out at 150-155 for the next 10 years, through the rest of college, a year and a half mission to Chile for my church (They sure know how to feed you there!!), and my first 4 years of my teaching career.

During these years, I would read Prevention, Self, First, and other magazines with weight-loss ideas/stories. I collected diet books and tried to eat more healthily. I started running and doing other forms of exercise (I love ballet, yoga, and other stretching exercises). I would set goals to lose weight, but even counting calories and running 3-7 miles 3-4 times a week would only get me down to 149lbs. Some of my diet book collection did help. The retro 80s diet book Lean and Free helped me be kinder to myself, learn about nutrition, and not give into self-loathing because I wasn't a size 6. Geneen Roth's books also helped with learning to love myself as I was (and to get rid of the rest of the diet books!)

A few years ago a friend told me that when I turned 30, I would have to watch what I ate. As I turned 29, my base weight started creeping up, and I was consistently at 157. Then, this past winter after a big meal (we are eaters in my family!) I weighed myself and was horrified to find that I was 163 lbs, more than I'd ever weighed before! (It was after a big meal with siblings and roommates, and my brother still laughs at how shocked I looked!!) I knew that I needed to do something different, but didn't know what. I'd been working out, and thought that I was doing pretty well, but I was gaining instead of losing!

Gratefully, my sister found a book called the Green Smoothies Diet, and told me about it. I looked up the corresponding website, and found Dr. Joel Fuhrman sited. I bought his book, Eat to Live, too, and it was the catalyst for change for me. I began following his eating suggestions about 80% of the time in May of this year (before I ever finished the book), and began losing weight that hadn't budged in years. I made my goal of being less than 140 lbs on my 30th b-day in August (139 counts, right?!) and have been between 138-145 since then. I'm sure that I would be lighter than that if I'd been consistent.

My problem is that I haven't been consistent. Dr. Fuhrman recommends being totally dedicated to the program for 6 weeks. I make it for about 2 or so, and then something comes up and I give in to sugar or meat. Not the most heinous crimes ever committed, but when I do, I realize that these foods never taste as good as I thought they would, they make me sick to my stomach, and they don't really doesn't solve the tiredness, stress, or whatever else I want them to fix! That doesn't stop me from eating a ton of them, though, when I do give in.

I've been feeling recently that I really need to commit and see what Eating to Live can do for me. I do feel healthier, lighter, stronger, and more energetic, even though I haven't been consistent with it. I'm wearing size 4 and 6 jeans and skirts at 140 ish lbs, so I know that my body is changing, not just my weight. I've NEVER been able to wear a size 6 bottom before this summer!

I went a year once without sugar, and figure I can do that again, along with ditching the meat, and adding the focus on nutrition that Dr. Fuhrman teaches. Soooo, I'm hereby committing to Eat to Live (basically vegan) for a year. I have a lot going on (I teach full time, am a grad school student, and have a lot of time-consuming responsibilities for my church), but I am also committing to do a few minutes of yoga each day for a year, fitting in cardio, and more stretching as I can.

THIS IS MY DAY OF DECISION!!!

I will check in every few days or so and let you know how I'm doing with my goals. I found a blog the other day (www.happyherbivore.com) that I already love and know is going to help me.

My stats today:

Weight: 143.2 lbs as of this morning (big binge weekend)

Exercise: yoga in the am, going to do a few more poses again tonight

Food: bkfast: green smoothie (banana, frozen peaches, spinach)

lunch: spinach, chili, tomatoes, mushrooms

snack: grape tomatoes

dinner: so far, a banana. Planning on trying HH's Pumpkin Pie smoothie.

8/1/13 update

I did go from October 17, 2011 to October 17, 2012 vegetarian as much as possible (trace meat in a chili, and broth a couple of times).  Trying again with the ETL challenge! :)

Minimizing! (Plant-based journey blog posts-February 14-June 16, 2013)

I'm trying to get rid of things that I don't need, consolidating, etc.  I started a blog just about plant-based eating back in February.  But I don't need 4 blogs.  So here are the posts from that blog, as I'm deleting it.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

My Mormon Lent

I'm a Mormon.  As members of the church, we participate in monthly fasts, but don't practice Lent. However, even before I realized that Lent started this month, I had been trying to get back on the plant-based band-wagon for more than just a few days.  I just feel SO MUCH BETTER when I eat plant-based.

Somehow, I got to thinking about the 40-day fasts in the Bible, and was going to commit to doing Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live program for 40 days in that same spirit.  I started and failed. I was gearing up to try again, when I realized that Lent started on Wednesday (or Monday) of this week.  So I decided to do my own "Lent."

I meant to start Monday, and ate plant-based Monday and Tuesday, but definitely had a Fat Tuesday vegan peanut butter cookie dough binge.  Wednesday then became my official start day of my Lent, and yesterday (Wed) and today have been wonderful.

I feel like focusing on the spiritual aspect of plant-based eating is going to help me commit for the duration of my 40 days. I am excited to draw nearer to God during this time (I always feel closer to Him when I'm taking good care of my body) and to show my appreciation of this physical body that He has blessed me with through nourishing it with plants!

It's amazing how Heavenly Father puts ideas in our heads and paths.  Just yesterday, I was doing my daily perusal of plant-based fb posts and blogs, when someone (I think it was someone who had commented on a Happy Herbivore fb post) mentioned the Daniel Fast.  I was intrigued by that, and googled it, and loved the information I found about that, too.  Eating plant-based really does have positive spiritual consequences!  (You think I would remember that more consistently, with the Word of Wisdom).

So whether you call it giving up something for  Lent, the 6 week Challenge, the Daniel Fast, obeying the Word of Wisdom, or just making a bigger effort to eat more plants, I am all for it!

As a caveat, I don't mean ANY disrespect to friends and readers to do participate in Lent as part of their worship.  I think that giving up something to be closer to God is a wonderful idea, and it is in this spirit that I'm calling my 40+ days of pure plant-based-ness my Lent.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Begin Again

This is one of my favorite songs right now.  There is a reason why I didn't name this blog "Jo's Plant-Based Life of Perfection."  (In addition to the lack of alliteration). I am not a perfect plant-based eater.  Sunday and yesterday I binged on non-plant-food.  Big time binged.  So I'm beginning again.

Today I was crazy and cranky because of my food hangover.  I'm already feeling better for having eaten plant-based today.

My new goal is to eat fully plant-based (no sugar or oil and limited flour) until April 2.  42 days.

In addition to beginning plant-focused eating again, I started writing my thesis again today.  Yay for beginning again!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The Lamentable Lassi...and other lessons learned lately.

I'd been doing plant-based 100%,  (low fat not so much...lots of peanut butter) when we went out to India Palace Monday night.  Our waiter gave me a lassi along with Beth's.  And I drank it.  So began the binge.  I then proceeded to buy and eat 2 kinds of ice cream and white chocolate lindt balls.  And to eat them all.  After 2 dinners.

Lesson learned:  Don't start.  It's too hard to stop, because you are addicted.


Today I was all geared up to eat only ETL foods and only when I was hungry.  I threw away the ice cream that I bought last night and the remnants of my huge jar of peanut butter in the name of giving away all my sins to know God (I don't think ice cream and peanut butter are sins.  I do think that they way that I've been abusing my body by binging on them is.)  And then Whitney gave us cookies this afternoon.  And I ate all three without a second thought.  Well, there were second thoughts when by the second cookie the buttery refinedness wasn't tasting as great as the first bite, and I could feel my arteries clogging.  But that didn't stop me from finishing all three.  But I did decide not to eat the starburst I unwrapped with the intent to consume. And tonight, Beth helped me not give in to J Dawg's or pizza.  And I didn't overeat for the first time in days.

Lessons learned:  If you have it, you will eat it.  So don't buy it or keep it if you know it's a temptation.

Monday, March 11, 2013

The Precious Gift of Agency

I was so tempted to eat sugar today. So tempted.  But it's amazing how things work out when you're trying.  I did eat 2 pieces of bread (going to try to not to tomorrow), but I didn't eat the doughnuts, cookies, lemon bars, and cheesecake that were available at home and FHE, nor did I go to the store for "healthy sugar" in the form of granola and soy milk, or not definitely not healthy vegan caramel stripe cookies.

I sure was contemplating it, but then President Smith's FHE lesson was about agency, and listening to the prophet.  The parts I liked best/helped me most came from this talk by President Monson.

As the prophet Isaiah promised, “Thine ears shall hear a word … saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.”³

My beloved young sisters, you have the precious gift of agency. I plead with you to choose to obey.

I love the idea of CHOICE.  I am choosing to not eat sugar and other addictive substances.  The word that I've heard in my ears is that I need to work on being healthy, and I know I can do that by avoiding sugar and refined carbs and eating LOTS of plants, (and not overeating like I did today).

The importance of choices hit home again this evening, when I learned that a friend in the ward's father had a stroke on Sunday, and that they don't want to operate because he's got heart problems.  I know that diet can't fix everything, that there are problems that are inevitable because we're mortal.  But I do feel like I need to do my very best to be as healthy as possible.  I am so grateful for the precious gift of agency.  One step closer.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

60 day insanity transformation? Let's try a 42 day sane one! :)

I saw an ad for the Insanity workout program, plugging a 60 day transformation.  Looking at before and after pics, some of the people who used the program did make a ton of progress.  Some, not so much.

I get the not so much progress thing.  How many times have I said that I'm going to go hard core ETL, really do the 6 weeks?

Yesterday was my first day (again!) of 6 weeks of ETL.  Beth is on board with me (and turned down home-bottled peaches at J and J's because she wasn't sure if they had sugar or pineapple juice.  GO BETHIE!

Today I ate too much peanut butter and nuts to be strictly ETL, and too many bananas.  Plant-based nuerotoxins a few too many bananas are better than a package of hotdogs and way too many desserts, right?

If I would stick to ETL for just 6 weeks, I would have a transformation too.  No insane workouts required.  I'll try to do better tomorrow than I did today.  I think more sleep will help.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Day 1: Pray like Crazy.

Today was day one of my 6 weeks of REAL Eat to Live.  I can do it.  I am doing it.  It's amazing what happens when you decide something for real.  Several times today, I thought briefly about eating candy, then realized that I'd decided to do ETL for real.  And when I remembered my decision, it was easy to say no to the sugar.

I'm saying yes to lots of prayer.  I need help from Heavenly Father.  I have issues galore with over-eating and food addictions, but I know that God can heal my heart, my mind and my health.  I love Him and am so grateful for His help and guidance.  I know He has a plan for me, and feel like ETL and superior nutrition and good exercise habits are a part of that plan.  I know that I feel better, happier, and stronger when I do what I know: essentrics, running, Eating to Live.

Today:
W: 152.2 lbs
E: 2.57 mile run (ran up el cerro de la muerte sin parar!), essentrics a/a...feeling stronger and leaner already!
am: banana
lunch time: banana + lots of gum...something to work on.
5:30 ish: a banana, spring mix, 1/2 can fire-roasted tomatoes, chili, palta, mushrooms.  Delicious!  I thought about eating more, but  I didn't really need it, or want it, so I didn't.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Day 2: Feeling Fitter Already! :)

It's amazing how just a couple of days can make SUCH a difference.  Between the running (or in today's case, walking), essentrics and ETL, I'm feeling fabulous!  To the point where I'm surprised that my pants are still tight!  I washed that pair of pants yesterday, and it's only day two, so I think I'll be fine :)

I LOVE how I feel when I take care of my body.  I feel lighter, brighter, happier, more in tune with the Spirit, a myriad of great and important things.  I want to do this forever.  Nothing tastes as good as  healthy feels.

Today:
W: 150.8
E: 37 minute walk with my bestest, Bethie, essentrics l/b
B: banana and walnuts
L: spring mix, mushrooms, chili, fire-roasted tomatoes (blessed to get everything I needed to done!)
D: banana

Friday, May 3, 2013

Day 3: Check-list girl

I've long loved a check-list.  I've been known to add something that I've already done to a check-list, just so that I can check it off!  Such a feeling of accomplishment!

Tara Stiles and the Tone It Up girls, Karena and Katrina have posted calendars lately for their respective workouts.  I've saved both calendars, wanting to complete their challenges and then decided to create my own to fit what I feel like I should be doing right now.  I keep track of all these goals on my monthly goal sheet, and have started to here on the blog too, but one more place to check off is a bonus!

The pic on the calendar is from a google search ("Yes, I googled!") and is a road in Texas.  I love that it's out in the country, but the telephone lines create some interesting lines, and are a good grounding reminder.  This road I'm traveling on isn't always going to be perfect, and it's going to be hard work to keep going and not give in to temptation sometimes, but it is and will be so worth it.

Here's my calendar/check-list for the next few weeks.  Use it if you want, or create your own! 

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Day 4: CHOOSING ETL (with banana bread cookies!)

I LOVE eating to live. And I love that I can CHOOSE to do it under any circumstances.  Things have a way of working out when you commit to do something good.  Heavenly Father blesses me so much.

I got to talk to my Mama while I walked/hiked this morning, then went to the temple with the ward, and then to the Sisk's for lunch...Salads! Of course I left out the tortilla, cheese, meat, chips, etc.  But I did have extra guacamole and later ate several of my new favorites: what I've termed "banana bread cookies." So good, and so legally ETL.  So blessed to be able to make this choice.

Today:
W: 146
E: 1 hour and 10 minutes of walking and hiking the Bonneville Shoreline trail.  Essentrics l/b while listening to Mountains to Climb :).
B: banana and walnuts
L: lettuce, black beans, guacamole, and lots of salsa.
D/S: banana, 2 cookies worth of dough, plus five more cookies.  When they're totally sugar, fat, and flour free, they are totally legal! Love them!


The cookies were on someone's facebook post.  Don't know who to attribute them to.  Whoever came up with them is a genius, though.  Totally plant-based,  and no non-normal-jo stuff like medjool dates, coconut sugar, or food processors involved!

"Banana Bread Cookies" (my name for them, they didn't come with a name)
3 mashed bananas (ripe)
1/3 cup applesauce (I use my Mama's home canned stuff!)
2 cups oats
1/4 cup almond milk
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

The first time I made them, I didn't add raisins.  I did today, and highly recommend it.  Also, I didn't measure my cinnamon today, just shook it in until I thought it had enough, tasted it, and added some more!  Added some nutmeg too.  Try these! :)

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Day 5: Blessed Sunday

I sure do love Sundays.  They are the best day of the week.  Today was fast Sunday (as a Latter-day saint, I fast at least once a month to draw nearer to God and to donate the money I would have spent on the meals to help those in need) and we had a "break the fast" meal together with those in the ward after church.  I was totally able to stick to my game plan of Eating to Live!

Playing and visiting with family after break the fast and a GREAT CES fireside was a highlight as well. So blessed.

Today:
W: 145.4
E: am yoga
B and L: fasting
D: lettuce, refried beans, salsa
S: 4-5 banana bread cookies

Monday, May 6, 2013

Day 6: Gotta keep your head/chin up.

Today was full of ups and downs.  I gained a tiny bit from yesterday, which was a little discouraging compared to the days of 2 lb. weight loss, but I know that this is what I'm supposed to be doing right now, regardless of whether or not I lose weight. I feel leaner, stronger, and happier eating and living this way. And I've decided that cookies (even ETL cookies!) are out for me for the duration of the 6 week challenge.  I just eat more than I should of them. Every. Single. Time.  And I need to make sure not to do snacks.  Don't need 'em.

I also stress ate a little bit this afternoon.  I could NOT find the cord to my incubator, and 42 little chicken lives and the hopes of 24 students relied upon me finding it.  I prayed, and searched and searched and prayed.  I felt calm after one prayer, and just kept going, trying to find solutions.  Eventually I found the cord, and I'm here at school (it feels so late! I often stay up this late at home, but it just feels late at school), waiting for the incubator to reach its set point.

My friend Jordan shared some of his experiences and lessons learned from breaking his neck last summer, in a talk in church last Sunday (not yesterday) and said that he learned that we heal better when we keep our chin up.  I agree.

So here's to being so blessed with miracles of incubator cords, only one egg broken, and trying again.  Because the fact that I kept my chin up today and kept trying, and the fact that I get to try again tomorrow, are miraculous.

Also, here's a theme song for the day! :)

Today:
W: 145.6
E: 36 minute walk with Beth, essentrics a/a
B: banana and walnuts
L: spring mix, fire-roasted tomatoes, chili, 3 tangerines.  About 1/2 hour later: pineapple, grapes, strawberries
D: banana.  About 1/2 hour later: 2 more bananas with walnuts

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Day 7: Don't retreat

I weighed in this morning, having gained again.  I know, I know, it's not even a pound, and it's not like it's irrevocably there forever.  But when you are behind or feel like you're failing in many other areas (teaching, thesizing, etc.), it's nice to have that visual reminder on the scale that SOMETHING you're doing is working.

But, again, regardless of what the scale says, I know I'm doing the right thing.  Here's that idea in better words from one of my favorite church leaders, Elder Holland: "Beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing.  If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted in it, it is right now." This is right.  I'm going to keep going, keep trying

Today:
W: 146
E: 37 minute walk with Beth, essentrics l/b
B: banana
L: spring mix, chili, grape tomatoes, cilantro, palta, and a golden delicious apple
D: 2 manderin oranges

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Day 8: Compromise and Lessons Learned

I'm craving healing right now.  I need some time and space to just be, without all this craziness.  In my stressed-out state tonight, and with my very carnivorous family eating hamburgers, hot-dogs and orange soda floats, I ate bread, palta (the Chilean word for avocado), and peanut butter like I hadn't eaten for a week.  Even though I'd already eaten my three meals, and even though I wasn't hungry.  That was my compromise.  And the lesson learned is that I can't do bread either.  I'm addicted to refined carbs, and bread is one of the worst for me in terms of binge triggers.  How many times have I over-eaten Mother's rolls, or Sister Nelson's bread, or eaten several sandwiches when I wasn't hungry?  So, at least for the duration of my 6 week challenge, I'm done with bread.

Also, today is my 2 year anniversary.  Two years ago today was my first day of Eating to Live.  I obviously haven't done it perfectly ever, but it has changed my life, and helped me in my quest for healthier eating, and a healthier attitude towards eating.  I feel like I've been guided to find this and that I'm being helped to do it.  I can and WILL do this.  I went to buy paint tonight and also bought a book by President Eyring called "Choose Higher Ground." Just the dust jacket was inspiring and talked about how when we're doing the right thing, there is always going to be opposition.  Eat to Live is the right thing for me right now (and probably forever!)

Also, my very carnivorous family is also very amazing! My papa came and cleaned up my backyard and patio, weeded my flower gardens, and is going to finish my shelves in the storage room tomorrow!  So blessed!

Today:
W: 145.6
E: 30 min, 2.58 mile RUN!, pm yoga
B: banana
L: spring mix, black beans, mushrooms, strawberries
4:00 mangoes, apple, orange
5-9 2 bananas, 6-7 pieces of bread with palta, tomato, and peanut butter and strawberry jam