Oh have I got a fancy snack for you when you are looking forward to a romantic nibble. Or just a snack that will impress your friends. It can be a bit pricey but oh so worth it. Have you ever tried a fresh date? They are delicious pieces of fruit, especially if you have a sweet tooth. And once you take a bite you'll have a hard time believing these little treasures actually have a lot of health benefits.
First what is a date? They are fruits from certain palm trees that look like an oversized raisin with some plumpness. At least the Medjool kind do. The dates tend to run a bit expensive. I usually have found them close to eight dollars for a pound or a little over a pound (Roughly thirty - forty dates). However, on one of shopping trips in search of our new produce we found I believe the package is 18 oz for 4.99. Well for that price we had to try these sweet jewels. Yum!
Now a lot of sites on the web recommended eating them raw. As long as you remove the pit. You can keep the dates in a cupboard but if you store them in your fridge they last quite a bit longer. Don't be scared of depitting these fruits. Just start to slit the tip as if you were slicing lengthwise. But just starting to slice. And you can open the slit far enough to slip out the pit. The pit looks like a piece of a pecan. Don't be tempted to taste it though. They are inedible. Most recipes recommending slipping in a nut or a cheese. As dates are awfully sweet it is good to have a salty component. Also dates by themselves contain NO sodium. So if you like your snacks to have some salt you'll have to add that component.
However, being it was New Year's Day yesterday and our favorite team was playing we opted for a fancier snack. Since you already have to remove the pit, you might as well stuff the date. We bought some Brie cheese. Just a little dab into each date. Then we chose to wrap the dates with a little prosciutto. Oh so good! Prosciutto is an Italian ham. But not just deli ham. There is a special process of curing/drying meat depending on the region and the slices are usually pretty delicate we have found. Just a little bit of that rich fattiness to cover this sweet date filled with a smooth delicate cheese. Italy meets the tropics meets France; what a beautiful world. We put them in the oven on 375 degree F for roughly fifteen minutes. This allowed the date to gooey its sweetness and allowed the meat to release its saltiness and the cheese to soften. So delicious for a romantic game snack. I liked the warmth to allow the flavors to blend and to soften the date. Just handling the date to pit them you can feel the stickiness. By wrapping the date, the sweet wasn't overpowering and yet had a luxurious texture.
Some great benefits of the date include extremely small amounts of fat, obviously no cholesterol, some protein and yes it is mainly carbohydrates but a lot of that is fiber. Because of other vitamins and minerals it includes dates are actually low on the glycemic index as they help regulate blood sugar. So for those out there who have a sweet tooth but are worried about blood sugars this might be a snack to try, especially if you stuff the date fruit with a nut. Also a date is a good source of potassium, calcium, iron, and copper. (See http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/dates.html and http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/natural-foods/natural-weight-loss-food-dates-ga.htm for more nutritional information.)
This was definitely a thumbs up pick for my hubby and me. I have a sweet tooth and I was a little worried for how sweet the fruit may be. But with the way we prepared it, even my hubby who prefers spicy or salty over sweet enjoyed this find.
May your HealthFULL Journey include fun discoveries and moments worth repeating. 'Til we meet again. . .
Monday, January 2, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
12 Resolutions for the 12 months of 2012
Well this has been quite a journey and it still continues. You think you found the perfect path and then you hit a dead end, a crazy detour, or get lost and end up back in the same spot. So you turn back to your trusty compass and gaze at your map. Circle the paths that were working and figure out a new route. There is no time better than the present. Today is the first day of the new year. And rumor has it the end of the world is nearing. If that be true I want to leave as the best version of myself. Of course with my Christian belief the Bible states (my paraphrase follows) that we don't know what hour our Master will return - so basically, let's get to work and do it now. So if this journey is to be FULL of Health that means my goals should be all encompassing, a little physical, a little mental, emotional, spiritual, you get it, it should be for the whole picture so lets count em down. 12 goals for the next twelve months in this fabulous year of 2012.
12. Lose 102 pounds. The weight isn't my number one priority but it is a goal. It is an unusual number. I like even stevens usually a bold hundred a perfect ten. But 102 pounds would bring me to 178 pounds. I have never seen that number on a scale in my adult life. 179 is the lowest number I have seen and it was when I was nineteen - twenty years old. So let's eliminate decade within a year. Its a daunting number but attainable - pound by pound. It also means I have lost nine pounds since this journey started 2 1/2 years ago. But also in that time I did gain a total of forty one pounds (mostly pregnancy related) so in actuality I've lost fifty pounds again. So we'll keep on the downstreak!
11. Another physical thing is to continue the new produce or grain once a week. This helps make a game out of eating healthy and stretching the horizons of what we imagine we could eat, should eat, and would eat. This allows 52 opportunities to consume a variety of vitamins and minerals in combinations we wouldn't otherwise know.
10. The perfect ten has to go to cooking myself at least twice a week. And not just cooking but learning a new recipe at least one of those two times but hopefully twice. This enables me to take more control of my health. It will help me not get caught in the trap of helplessness, boredom, or being overwhelmed by all the life matters we can't control.
9. To round out my physical improvements means I need movement. Documented exercise. I want to work out thirty minutes five days a week. But even more specifically to cover at least 366 miles this year of walking. I will count walking as part of my exercise during the week. But it would be awesome on those days I can count it as a bonus. That means one mile a day. Let's pound some pavement or at least some carpet!
8. I need to be more charitable. It is time to research some charities. And to be more consistent in giving and less about the taking, demanding, and whining. My goal is to donate to at least one charity every month: whether it be time, money, or donated goods. There are a lot of people who are doing amazing things to help those who need the extra hand. My soul thirsts to be more like a servant as I have ignored the calling several times.
7. Speaking of the Call. It is time to reconnect in a stronger fashion with God. I plan to read the Bible in one year's time and to take true meditative time with God on a daily basis (not just in times of distress which is too common for me). God is blessed me with too much that I have taken for granted too often.
6. Another calling - what next? I finished my B.A. this year which feels pretty darn good to mark that of the to - do list. It waited for nine years but it is crossed off. But now I have to figure out what's next? A new vocation? Start a business? Attain a masters? Lots of ideas but no true road map. Time to get research done and by 2013 working towards the next great challenge.
5. Let's get creative. This may be my favorite goal. I love to be creative and playful. Each month I am going to learn either a new skill or build upon a creative process. This might mean taking a class to learn how to do pottery. This may mean picking up a how to learn a new language. This might mean trying out for a play. Perhaps I establish a routine to write fiction/poetry. But it is time to get the juices flowing and the heart pumping. It will feel good to awaken that part of me once again.
4. Time to ...I even feel anxious typing this. Time to Socialize more. I tend to lead a hermit lifestyle. In the past I used to have people demanding jobs that I was pretty good at. But I tend to get easily connected emotionally to people and it would zap a lot of my energy. Other people's dramas, creating my own drama, and then stressing that I wasn't helping enough or that I wasn't capable to do more and I had a rough year that I shut down. I lost 10 people close to me in one year. All different levels of intimacy and relations, some were sudden some were expected. And these deaths were sandwiched between my mother in law being diagnosed with cancer (a survivor of 8+ years Amen!) and my own mother's diagnosis of cancer (a survivor of 7+ years - another Amen!) and in that time I quit college (nothing to due with what has already been mentioned I just didn't know where I was going or what I wanted at 22), got married (to the most amazing man in the world and still my best friend), moved, and started my first salaried position where forty-four people's lives were under my care. That was all in one year and also in that one year I gained seventy pounds. Sooooo yeah I kind of needed a break from people, responsibility, and instead of taking a break I kind of just shut down. So its time to wake up and get out. So I plan to have at least one extra outing a month not just family or work related. For some that sounds super easy but this may be one of the hardest areas for me to stretch. (and in honesty if I try a class or group activity - I'm counting it!)
3. Budget - I don't like to budget: not money, not calories, not time. I like to be spontaneous, at least I say that. But really it is another way to say I don't like to be controlled or pressured or to stick to rules. It crushes my freedom, it suffocates the spirit of fun. But not really I just allow myself to feel that. We all can use a cushion for "those days" and if you have read my blog I tend to have a lot of out of those blue kinds of experiences. So my hubby and I are going to sit down and comb through expenses and start true rainy day funds and not just talk about it. Blech! My stomach is already churning.
2. Time to organize the chaos. Some people are naturally gifted in completing tasks in a timely manner, keeping things together, and just letting objects gleam in cleanliness. I am not one of those people. I try hard to have routines that keep me and my family being swallowed up by household clutter and try to designate areas for those have to grab items. But it is a challenge. I am going to do a thorough cleaning (this is not the weekly or daily cleaning necessary to keep the household moving - laundry, dishes, vacuuming, ect.) in every area of our house once a month and each week take an hour to truly organize (actually create an address book, gather recipes that we enjoy in one spot, designate locations for important papers - declutter the filing cabinet).
1. The big number one is to truly be grateful within each and every day. To count a blessing every day. Hopefully this will take down the stress but more importantly remind me that it truly is a wonderful life and that all of us are granted a gift of life on a daily basis.
May your 2012 be a chance to let go of what brings you down and to welcome all that builds you up. 'Til we meet again. . .
12. Lose 102 pounds. The weight isn't my number one priority but it is a goal. It is an unusual number. I like even stevens usually a bold hundred a perfect ten. But 102 pounds would bring me to 178 pounds. I have never seen that number on a scale in my adult life. 179 is the lowest number I have seen and it was when I was nineteen - twenty years old. So let's eliminate decade within a year. Its a daunting number but attainable - pound by pound. It also means I have lost nine pounds since this journey started 2 1/2 years ago. But also in that time I did gain a total of forty one pounds (mostly pregnancy related) so in actuality I've lost fifty pounds again. So we'll keep on the downstreak!
11. Another physical thing is to continue the new produce or grain once a week. This helps make a game out of eating healthy and stretching the horizons of what we imagine we could eat, should eat, and would eat. This allows 52 opportunities to consume a variety of vitamins and minerals in combinations we wouldn't otherwise know.
10. The perfect ten has to go to cooking myself at least twice a week. And not just cooking but learning a new recipe at least one of those two times but hopefully twice. This enables me to take more control of my health. It will help me not get caught in the trap of helplessness, boredom, or being overwhelmed by all the life matters we can't control.
9. To round out my physical improvements means I need movement. Documented exercise. I want to work out thirty minutes five days a week. But even more specifically to cover at least 366 miles this year of walking. I will count walking as part of my exercise during the week. But it would be awesome on those days I can count it as a bonus. That means one mile a day. Let's pound some pavement or at least some carpet!
8. I need to be more charitable. It is time to research some charities. And to be more consistent in giving and less about the taking, demanding, and whining. My goal is to donate to at least one charity every month: whether it be time, money, or donated goods. There are a lot of people who are doing amazing things to help those who need the extra hand. My soul thirsts to be more like a servant as I have ignored the calling several times.
7. Speaking of the Call. It is time to reconnect in a stronger fashion with God. I plan to read the Bible in one year's time and to take true meditative time with God on a daily basis (not just in times of distress which is too common for me). God is blessed me with too much that I have taken for granted too often.
6. Another calling - what next? I finished my B.A. this year which feels pretty darn good to mark that of the to - do list. It waited for nine years but it is crossed off. But now I have to figure out what's next? A new vocation? Start a business? Attain a masters? Lots of ideas but no true road map. Time to get research done and by 2013 working towards the next great challenge.
5. Let's get creative. This may be my favorite goal. I love to be creative and playful. Each month I am going to learn either a new skill or build upon a creative process. This might mean taking a class to learn how to do pottery. This may mean picking up a how to learn a new language. This might mean trying out for a play. Perhaps I establish a routine to write fiction/poetry. But it is time to get the juices flowing and the heart pumping. It will feel good to awaken that part of me once again.
4. Time to ...I even feel anxious typing this. Time to Socialize more. I tend to lead a hermit lifestyle. In the past I used to have people demanding jobs that I was pretty good at. But I tend to get easily connected emotionally to people and it would zap a lot of my energy. Other people's dramas, creating my own drama, and then stressing that I wasn't helping enough or that I wasn't capable to do more and I had a rough year that I shut down. I lost 10 people close to me in one year. All different levels of intimacy and relations, some were sudden some were expected. And these deaths were sandwiched between my mother in law being diagnosed with cancer (a survivor of 8+ years Amen!) and my own mother's diagnosis of cancer (a survivor of 7+ years - another Amen!) and in that time I quit college (nothing to due with what has already been mentioned I just didn't know where I was going or what I wanted at 22), got married (to the most amazing man in the world and still my best friend), moved, and started my first salaried position where forty-four people's lives were under my care. That was all in one year and also in that one year I gained seventy pounds. Sooooo yeah I kind of needed a break from people, responsibility, and instead of taking a break I kind of just shut down. So its time to wake up and get out. So I plan to have at least one extra outing a month not just family or work related. For some that sounds super easy but this may be one of the hardest areas for me to stretch. (and in honesty if I try a class or group activity - I'm counting it!)
3. Budget - I don't like to budget: not money, not calories, not time. I like to be spontaneous, at least I say that. But really it is another way to say I don't like to be controlled or pressured or to stick to rules. It crushes my freedom, it suffocates the spirit of fun. But not really I just allow myself to feel that. We all can use a cushion for "those days" and if you have read my blog I tend to have a lot of out of those blue kinds of experiences. So my hubby and I are going to sit down and comb through expenses and start true rainy day funds and not just talk about it. Blech! My stomach is already churning.
2. Time to organize the chaos. Some people are naturally gifted in completing tasks in a timely manner, keeping things together, and just letting objects gleam in cleanliness. I am not one of those people. I try hard to have routines that keep me and my family being swallowed up by household clutter and try to designate areas for those have to grab items. But it is a challenge. I am going to do a thorough cleaning (this is not the weekly or daily cleaning necessary to keep the household moving - laundry, dishes, vacuuming, ect.) in every area of our house once a month and each week take an hour to truly organize (actually create an address book, gather recipes that we enjoy in one spot, designate locations for important papers - declutter the filing cabinet).
1. The big number one is to truly be grateful within each and every day. To count a blessing every day. Hopefully this will take down the stress but more importantly remind me that it truly is a wonderful life and that all of us are granted a gift of life on a daily basis.
May your 2012 be a chance to let go of what brings you down and to welcome all that builds you up. 'Til we meet again. . .
Friday, December 16, 2011
We need a little Christmas
I love Christmas. It holds so many precious memories for me. Obviously the Reason for the season is most important. (Thank you God for your most precious gift!!!) But call me cheesy, but the Christmas magic is so uplifting. I have had some rotten Christmases (mono, post-concussion, horrible flu, strep throat so extreme I can' close my mouth and the list continues.) But that's not what I remember. I remember family traditions of marching to Silent Night. I think of hot dogs and German potato salad on Christmas plastic plates that belong on Christmas place mats easily reaching their second decade. I can taste the sweet coolness of egg nog as we unwrap gifts one by one and laughing as a family for hours. Usually with/at my brother's reaction (but in our defense, he truly is the hardest person in the world to shop for!) I love Christmas so much I was determined to have a Christmas themed wedding. Which usually means a December date. However, my husband and I lived in North Dakota/Minnesota. (literally fifteen minutes apart). Blizzards are a normal occurrence during the winter and as our bridal party and close family were traveling from eight states we really couldn't predict if everyone would be able to make it. Also we got engaged in October and wanted to be married within a year. So we got our Christmas theme but celebrate our anniversary in July. (Get it? Christmas in July :) (First before you judge we got awesome deals on all decorations :)
But second? No one else can choose what matters to you or understand to what depth you care. We choose our attitude, we feel what we feel, and we control our actions . So in the end we have to fight for what we want. In a healthFULL Journey. Not every choice is perfect. Not every decision is "right". But hopefully most of the actions and choices will lead us each to our "true" goals.
This thought is on my heart as we are days away from Christmas. The hustling and bustling is all around. And it is easy to get caught up in the chaos. But hopefully we don't all get swallowed up. Today my hubby and I had a rare day off together and packed up our son and hit the shops. We had a long to do list - presents and then our daily house needs. We accomplished a lot. But when your list is a mile long it is hard to feel completely finished. And after a long day (with a ton of walking) there was a wonderful Christmas moment. My son was in his pjs. Enjoying his last milk for the day and we cuddled together on our recliner (Which happened to be bought exactly a year ago in anticipation of our son's arrival home from his 44 day stint in the NICU). Dinner was in the oven for the adults (chicken with creamed spinach and a mushroom risotto). (LOVE Freezer veggies in steamer packs - easy way to get some veggies in a hurry). Hubby was sitting next to us. Few lights on with the Christmas tree and Charlie Brown's Christmas on. The moment was quiet, comforting, and love-filled. So yes Christmas can be crazy. But in those quiet moments exist a beautiful breath of the Christmas spirit. Those moments are worth fighting for.
May your HealthFULL Journey get you closer to your goals and highlight the moments that are too precious to lose. Don't forget we all need a little Christmas! 'Til we meet again. . .
But second? No one else can choose what matters to you or understand to what depth you care. We choose our attitude, we feel what we feel, and we control our actions . So in the end we have to fight for what we want. In a healthFULL Journey. Not every choice is perfect. Not every decision is "right". But hopefully most of the actions and choices will lead us each to our "true" goals.
This thought is on my heart as we are days away from Christmas. The hustling and bustling is all around. And it is easy to get caught up in the chaos. But hopefully we don't all get swallowed up. Today my hubby and I had a rare day off together and packed up our son and hit the shops. We had a long to do list - presents and then our daily house needs. We accomplished a lot. But when your list is a mile long it is hard to feel completely finished. And after a long day (with a ton of walking) there was a wonderful Christmas moment. My son was in his pjs. Enjoying his last milk for the day and we cuddled together on our recliner (Which happened to be bought exactly a year ago in anticipation of our son's arrival home from his 44 day stint in the NICU). Dinner was in the oven for the adults (chicken with creamed spinach and a mushroom risotto). (LOVE Freezer veggies in steamer packs - easy way to get some veggies in a hurry). Hubby was sitting next to us. Few lights on with the Christmas tree and Charlie Brown's Christmas on. The moment was quiet, comforting, and love-filled. So yes Christmas can be crazy. But in those quiet moments exist a beautiful breath of the Christmas spirit. Those moments are worth fighting for.
May your HealthFULL Journey get you closer to your goals and highlight the moments that are too precious to lose. Don't forget we all need a little Christmas! 'Til we meet again. . .
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Sometimes we NEED a victory dance!
Due to my husband's influence I have joined the legions of football fans; mostly NFL but some college. It has become a special weekly event for my hubby and I as we don our black and gold. I try to dress our son in the appropriate spirit wear as well. However he usually cheers from his crib as it is either bedtime or naptime. We do look forward to sharing this tradition with him. I won't get started ranting about athlete salaries because that leads to celebrity and politicians vs military, teachers, fire personnel. But the game does unite communities, families, and sometimes loners. My hubby is from New Orleans and it is the city where we met. It holds a special place in both our hearts. We felt the loss as Katrina damaged and destroyed a beautiful piece of our country. But the people rallied. Did the Saints heal the city? They certainly helped strengthen that amazing community spirit. I witnessed Katrina's destruction but I also celebrated in the French Quarter after the Saints won their first SuperBowl. It truly was a memory of a lifetime. We might not have ran the field but in our hearts we matched them yard for yard. As I gain knowledge and seek healthier alternatives in my daily choices I have a newfound respect for athletes. They don't take care of their bodies for simply appearances. They do it for performance and functionability. They fight for their livelihood. Day in and day out they push, they strain, they refrain, and hope to avoid injury. So when they not only accomplish their goal but surpass everyone's expectations; including their own. They celebrate. They create humorous, touching, or offensive actions to celebrate their hard work. And when we're rooting for that team we too share the victory and celebrate accordingly.
Could you imagine how different life would be if we shared our victory dances and joined others in theirs? When someone earns an A we applauded instead of whispered "they must have cheated." Or when someone loses ten pounds we cheered instead of sneered. Maybe we don't need to pat others' fannies but we all could pass more pats on the back around. We are quick to criticize - everyone, especially ourselves. And with such critical eyes we forget to shout our Hoorays!
My son is at that fun age where he is starting to mimick adult patterns. We applaud his victories and nine times out of ten he stops to applaud with us with joy in his eyes. And I get the distinct feeling he is applauding our applause. His response is so genuine it brightens my mood, lightens my stress, and reminds me that we all do need a victory dance. We need the victory dance; to celebrate, to encourage, and to connect.
May your HealthFULL Journey be full of victory dances for yourself and for those you cherish. We all deserve a celebration. ' Til we meet again. . .
Could you imagine how different life would be if we shared our victory dances and joined others in theirs? When someone earns an A we applauded instead of whispered "they must have cheated." Or when someone loses ten pounds we cheered instead of sneered. Maybe we don't need to pat others' fannies but we all could pass more pats on the back around. We are quick to criticize - everyone, especially ourselves. And with such critical eyes we forget to shout our Hoorays!
My son is at that fun age where he is starting to mimick adult patterns. We applaud his victories and nine times out of ten he stops to applaud with us with joy in his eyes. And I get the distinct feeling he is applauding our applause. His response is so genuine it brightens my mood, lightens my stress, and reminds me that we all do need a victory dance. We need the victory dance; to celebrate, to encourage, and to connect.
May your HealthFULL Journey be full of victory dances for yourself and for those you cherish. We all deserve a celebration. ' Til we meet again. . .
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Life Changes
Here is a top ten list of how I know my lifestyle is improving healthwise:
10. No longer do I believe the mean laundry fairies are shrinking my jeans but actually replacing them with bigger sizes.
9. My tag was hanging out of my shirt the other day and instead of freaking out that someone might have seen the size. I was like I hope someone saw the size this shirt is from college - my first go around - which means it was purchased over ten years ago.
8. Instead of being nervous about my blood pressure and blood sugar being too high I wonder if they are too low.
7. We need to get out of the house. (I am borderline hermit! - this is major!)
6. Soup or salad can be the whole meal and not just the side/appetizer.
5. Oh I'm thirsty I should grab some water.
4. When can I fit in my thirty minute work-out today?
3. I'm cooking, by choice, and enjoying it!!!
2. I have great parking karma today. There is a spot right next to the steps.
1. I feel good and have tons of energy (most of the time :)
Some random thoughts but showing the big picture. Little by little I'm finding the healthier version of me.
May your healthFULL Journey delight you with the simple blessings of how your effort equals true results. 'Til we meet again. . .
10. No longer do I believe the mean laundry fairies are shrinking my jeans but actually replacing them with bigger sizes.
9. My tag was hanging out of my shirt the other day and instead of freaking out that someone might have seen the size. I was like I hope someone saw the size this shirt is from college - my first go around - which means it was purchased over ten years ago.
8. Instead of being nervous about my blood pressure and blood sugar being too high I wonder if they are too low.
7. We need to get out of the house. (I am borderline hermit! - this is major!)
6. Soup or salad can be the whole meal and not just the side/appetizer.
5. Oh I'm thirsty I should grab some water.
4. When can I fit in my thirty minute work-out today?
3. I'm cooking, by choice, and enjoying it!!!
2. I have great parking karma today. There is a spot right next to the steps.
1. I feel good and have tons of energy (most of the time :)
Some random thoughts but showing the big picture. Little by little I'm finding the healthier version of me.
May your healthFULL Journey delight you with the simple blessings of how your effort equals true results. 'Til we meet again. . .
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Power of Cleaning
Don't you just love a clean house? Or even a clean room? There is something motivating about walking into a room where everything seems to be resting in their proper place. But I think the "secret" spots are the most exciting when clean. You know where I am talking about. The "miscellaneous" drawer. Your closet. Under the bed. The cupboard where kitchen gadgets have gone and never returned. Or that pantry shelf of unopened foreign but really interesting bottle of sauce, the bag with one lonely stale cookie, the crackers you bought on sale that are healthy but have no flavor but that you refuse to throw because then you feel guilty for not really giving them a chance but the thought of attempting to eat one makes your face instinctly go blech as you shudder that one shrug that emphasizes your disgust. You get the picture. Sure clean bathrooms, hung laundry, and clean floors freshly vacuumed - looks nice and feels great. But that real deep satisfaction feeling comes from those areas that you clean for you. The areas where houseguests shouldn't really be peeking and even family members who dwell within the same residence are mostl likely crossing private boundaries. These are the areas we tend to overlook as guests don't notice and few can offer that positive feedback we crave. But when we do take the moment to really clear out our special places we feel invincible. Why? Here are a couple of my thoughts: Because we took a moment to say our wants matter. That I value myself more than I value clutter. With every choice we make we get one step closer to knowing who we really are, by stating what we really want, and become the person we want to be.
A little dramatic. Perhaps. But there is something about the power of cleaning. It truly is a whole person act. Physically you are stooping, stretching, walking room to room, crawling, sitting, jumping, grabbing, tossing, scrubbing, and the list could easily continue. Emotionally you are recalling why items matter or don't anymore. Mentally we choose to keep an item or dispose of the item and then how to accurately place the item (keep - where to store and for how long, dispose - throw away, recycle, donate, give away, trade, or sell). Financially you may keep more in your pocket as you don't have to buy replacements as you found a home for valuables or easily lost items (can we say stamps!!!) or you may loosen the purse to replace items that have lived a good life (I bid adieu to four pairs of jeans today).
But the real point of today's entry. I feel amazing. I feel strong as my body was able to keep up with my long to do list. I feel wise as I was able to keep my head in the game and make tons of decisions pretty easily. Some of these chores have been on my to do list and creating guilt within myself and "graying" my mood as I bypassed these activities for numerous reasons. But now that they are crossed off I feel accomplished and freed. And definitely feel jazzed and excitement walking around my home and feeling that I have some wiggle room ; room to wiggle if I choose, to fill with items that make my heart soar, and that not everything feels so crammed.
After some true sleep last night I was able to wake up and feel motivated. A HealthFULL lifestyle has to start with rest. Time to reflect, renew, and regain strength. And once we regroup and refuel our energy we can make active and informed choices about our well-being. By choosing to clean today I was able to let go of built up frustration and guilt by finding peace and joy. Both great feelings anytime but especially valuable sentiments during the holidays.
May your HealthFULL Journey lead to moments of clearness as your life gains purity through the removal of clutter and the discovery of options. 'Til we meet again. . .
A little dramatic. Perhaps. But there is something about the power of cleaning. It truly is a whole person act. Physically you are stooping, stretching, walking room to room, crawling, sitting, jumping, grabbing, tossing, scrubbing, and the list could easily continue. Emotionally you are recalling why items matter or don't anymore. Mentally we choose to keep an item or dispose of the item and then how to accurately place the item (keep - where to store and for how long, dispose - throw away, recycle, donate, give away, trade, or sell). Financially you may keep more in your pocket as you don't have to buy replacements as you found a home for valuables or easily lost items (can we say stamps!!!) or you may loosen the purse to replace items that have lived a good life (I bid adieu to four pairs of jeans today).
But the real point of today's entry. I feel amazing. I feel strong as my body was able to keep up with my long to do list. I feel wise as I was able to keep my head in the game and make tons of decisions pretty easily. Some of these chores have been on my to do list and creating guilt within myself and "graying" my mood as I bypassed these activities for numerous reasons. But now that they are crossed off I feel accomplished and freed. And definitely feel jazzed and excitement walking around my home and feeling that I have some wiggle room ; room to wiggle if I choose, to fill with items that make my heart soar, and that not everything feels so crammed.
After some true sleep last night I was able to wake up and feel motivated. A HealthFULL lifestyle has to start with rest. Time to reflect, renew, and regain strength. And once we regroup and refuel our energy we can make active and informed choices about our well-being. By choosing to clean today I was able to let go of built up frustration and guilt by finding peace and joy. Both great feelings anytime but especially valuable sentiments during the holidays.
May your HealthFULL Journey lead to moments of clearness as your life gains purity through the removal of clutter and the discovery of options. 'Til we meet again. . .
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The Broken Umbrella
Oh if my life was a movie this week... cue into the closing scene where a woman walks down the sidewalk in front of her office building with a bounce in her step and a giggle on her lips. Now if this truly was a movie the woman would be 5' 11" just over a hundred pounds in a gorgeous trench coat- fantastic make-up and perfectly coiffed hair possibly a french twist, mega watt smile with a confident stride and the background a slight sprinkle of rain with a touch of sunlight. But before we go into the fade back let's really examine the final scene. Because this blog isn't a movie but about my real HealthFULL journey on how I can Fully Understand Life by Living which means there are lots of these moments. Here is the true final scene: A heavy set woman, no make-up, a quick ponytail, an awkward pace to her gait, and a giggle bordering between hysteria or tears, with an open broken umbrella and a gloomy gray sky with spurts of wind. Now the choices that lead into this scene.
Its Monday because this is real life and real life seems to come together harshly this particular time of the week. We are approaching wintertime here in the South and instead of facing a harsh blizzard we tend to see a lot of drizzly depressing rainy days. This would be one of those days. I hate driving the truck in rain. The accelerator tends to stick when it gets a little chilly and the automatic truck pretends it is a bucking bronco. Not fun! But as I pull into our parking lot - wait for it I actually have an umbrella on me. This is news because for seven years of our marriage - my husband and I did not own a single umbrella. But I now own one that matches my purse. Fancy I know! My hubby calls it my little umbrella and I love it...or I did, but I am getting ahead of myself.
Work begins and time passes. The minutes tick down and the clock is nearing break time. Oh I so have the Monday blahs. Its cold out and rainy. No walk I pout, stomp, and whine I don't wanna. But don't want to do something doesn't mean I can't. That I am physically unable. And I realized that as an adult I can't give into my teenage rebellion or even my child-like tantrum just because I don't feel it. Sometimes we have to weigh our wants vs. our goals vs. our needs. I didn't want to walk but after my high blood sugar reading (the highest I have had in over a month) I needed to walk and that my goal is to lead a healthier lifestyle. Well grab the umbrella because we are going for a walk : sunshine, rain, or snow pull on the tennis shoes we're hitting the pavement. Did I have other options then walking outside? Absolutely! I could have walked the steps in our five story building (they are bit daunting and creepy). I also could have stretched in my cubicle for fifteen minutes but who wants to create that kind of scene. No I'll take my cute little umbrella and walk.
It felt good the first break. There is something about the smell of rain that is energizing as everything is refreshed. The confidence building as I did something good for myself and I didn't even want to do it. But I dug deep and accomplished my goal. Its that first step willing to embrace the activity, isn't it. I convinced myself go outside. If you only walk once around the building so be it. But my body craved movement and once the first step happened it was easier to follow it with 1500 more. Great first break.
The day continues on and the afternoon break looms before me. I silently debate my options. I already had fifteen minutes under my belt. Do I really have to commit another fifteen in the rain? Yes because I knew I was working late, when I get home I will be exhausted and on mommy/wife time. So if I wanted to get my full thirty minutes in for the day this would most likely be my last shot. Plus it really was refreshing the first break. Grab my tennis shoes and adorable umbrella one more time. Hmm...the grayness seems a little darker. The wind has picked up a little speed and an extra chill as I sink a little deeper into my coat. One time around the building done. I am feeling a shot of pride, a bounce in my step as my confidence grows and as I am too busy applauding myself a lot happens. I notice the wind is picking up my umbrella and flinging it around. I see one of the spokes has bent and then one final gust pulls the umbrella out of my hand as I simultaneously trip over the sidewalk. (The same sidewalk that I have walked numerous times all of a sudden has a crack that raises three inches off the ground just enough for my shoe to catch it and stub my toe). I lose the umbrella to the ground as I stumble three steps forward bracing myself for the inevitable fall and side step my umbrella (I don't want to break it) and the wind carries my friend away into the street into upcoming traffic as I twirl to catch both my balance and in a half-hearted attempt to catch my little umbrella. I watch in horror as a SUV comes racing down (or driving normal speed) bee-line towards my umbrella and I wondered if there was any possible way my umbrella could be spared and if not; Can an open umbrella hurt a moving SUV? There was something child-like as I wanted to race into the street and save my priced possession like a child does their ball. But miracles of miracles the umbrella is spared. I grab the umbrella and race to safety. As I turn the final corner towards my office building. It was like I was not only in a movie but a cartoon as I look up into my umbrella. As I gaze upwards one spoke (not the bent one) drops into two pieces. I try to close the umbrella to see the damage and there is one side that sticks out now with the two pieced spoke and the bent spoke and I do the only thing that seems natural. I giggle at my blessed misfortune. Yes I tripped. I lost my umbrella. And my umbrella broke. But I walked for thirty minutes. I actually had a working umbrella for 28 of those minutes. My umbrella did not get run over (and I didn't have to pay for any damage towards an expensive looking SUV). And though I tripped, I didn't fall nor sustain any true injury. Well a little bruise to the pride as I was beginning to think I was all that and a bag of chips. But a near fall and a broken umbrella bring me back to reality. So Broken Umbrella thank you for the memories, the lessons, and the humility.
May your HealthFULL Journey be full of opportunities that lift you up and catch you when you fall. 'Til we meet again. . .
Its Monday because this is real life and real life seems to come together harshly this particular time of the week. We are approaching wintertime here in the South and instead of facing a harsh blizzard we tend to see a lot of drizzly depressing rainy days. This would be one of those days. I hate driving the truck in rain. The accelerator tends to stick when it gets a little chilly and the automatic truck pretends it is a bucking bronco. Not fun! But as I pull into our parking lot - wait for it I actually have an umbrella on me. This is news because for seven years of our marriage - my husband and I did not own a single umbrella. But I now own one that matches my purse. Fancy I know! My hubby calls it my little umbrella and I love it...or I did, but I am getting ahead of myself.
Work begins and time passes. The minutes tick down and the clock is nearing break time. Oh I so have the Monday blahs. Its cold out and rainy. No walk I pout, stomp, and whine I don't wanna. But don't want to do something doesn't mean I can't. That I am physically unable. And I realized that as an adult I can't give into my teenage rebellion or even my child-like tantrum just because I don't feel it. Sometimes we have to weigh our wants vs. our goals vs. our needs. I didn't want to walk but after my high blood sugar reading (the highest I have had in over a month) I needed to walk and that my goal is to lead a healthier lifestyle. Well grab the umbrella because we are going for a walk : sunshine, rain, or snow pull on the tennis shoes we're hitting the pavement. Did I have other options then walking outside? Absolutely! I could have walked the steps in our five story building (they are bit daunting and creepy). I also could have stretched in my cubicle for fifteen minutes but who wants to create that kind of scene. No I'll take my cute little umbrella and walk.
It felt good the first break. There is something about the smell of rain that is energizing as everything is refreshed. The confidence building as I did something good for myself and I didn't even want to do it. But I dug deep and accomplished my goal. Its that first step willing to embrace the activity, isn't it. I convinced myself go outside. If you only walk once around the building so be it. But my body craved movement and once the first step happened it was easier to follow it with 1500 more. Great first break.
The day continues on and the afternoon break looms before me. I silently debate my options. I already had fifteen minutes under my belt. Do I really have to commit another fifteen in the rain? Yes because I knew I was working late, when I get home I will be exhausted and on mommy/wife time. So if I wanted to get my full thirty minutes in for the day this would most likely be my last shot. Plus it really was refreshing the first break. Grab my tennis shoes and adorable umbrella one more time. Hmm...the grayness seems a little darker. The wind has picked up a little speed and an extra chill as I sink a little deeper into my coat. One time around the building done. I am feeling a shot of pride, a bounce in my step as my confidence grows and as I am too busy applauding myself a lot happens. I notice the wind is picking up my umbrella and flinging it around. I see one of the spokes has bent and then one final gust pulls the umbrella out of my hand as I simultaneously trip over the sidewalk. (The same sidewalk that I have walked numerous times all of a sudden has a crack that raises three inches off the ground just enough for my shoe to catch it and stub my toe). I lose the umbrella to the ground as I stumble three steps forward bracing myself for the inevitable fall and side step my umbrella (I don't want to break it) and the wind carries my friend away into the street into upcoming traffic as I twirl to catch both my balance and in a half-hearted attempt to catch my little umbrella. I watch in horror as a SUV comes racing down (or driving normal speed) bee-line towards my umbrella and I wondered if there was any possible way my umbrella could be spared and if not; Can an open umbrella hurt a moving SUV? There was something child-like as I wanted to race into the street and save my priced possession like a child does their ball. But miracles of miracles the umbrella is spared. I grab the umbrella and race to safety. As I turn the final corner towards my office building. It was like I was not only in a movie but a cartoon as I look up into my umbrella. As I gaze upwards one spoke (not the bent one) drops into two pieces. I try to close the umbrella to see the damage and there is one side that sticks out now with the two pieced spoke and the bent spoke and I do the only thing that seems natural. I giggle at my blessed misfortune. Yes I tripped. I lost my umbrella. And my umbrella broke. But I walked for thirty minutes. I actually had a working umbrella for 28 of those minutes. My umbrella did not get run over (and I didn't have to pay for any damage towards an expensive looking SUV). And though I tripped, I didn't fall nor sustain any true injury. Well a little bruise to the pride as I was beginning to think I was all that and a bag of chips. But a near fall and a broken umbrella bring me back to reality. So Broken Umbrella thank you for the memories, the lessons, and the humility.
May your HealthFULL Journey be full of opportunities that lift you up and catch you when you fall. 'Til we meet again. . .
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Stupid Pothole!
You've seen 'em. But have you fallen trap to the potholes in your life? I am talking figuratively and literally here. It has been two weeks and the real life pothole I hit still haunts me and my car. With the holiday season I feel I am hitting a lot of potholes. I have tried to throw on a smile, count my blessings, and hope for better. But sometimes you need a moment to acknowledge and even yell at the pothole. The pothole caused me stress in several ways. I was driving to work early. Which right there tends to not work in my favor. We had been told to come in an hour and half late. I figured I could at least be on time if not a tish early. I am driving down the interstate. Go to switch lanes as I am not a right lane driver. And as I begin to accelerate to switch lanes, I check my blind spot only to turn in enough time to see my car is about to hit a huge pothole. I have enough time to tense my body and see the pothole but not enough to react. Ker-PLUNK. Oh no. Please Onyx the Smokemobile be okay. Please. PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE! Okay all tires still moving three seconds past the kerplunk. Maybe just maybe I can breathe normally again. Oh no here comes the exclamation point light with a loud series of beeps. This means my car is upset with my choice and needs pronto care. I have accepted in this world there are three topics that my brain does not compute. I have accepted and try to avoid the topics. You can use kindergarten language and I will not comprehend possibly my ignorance, possibly my stubbornness. Those three topics are : Directions (I married a human compass), Computers(Ironic as I do data entry for my job), and Cars (sad because I have had lots of car problems in my lifetime). So when my car yells at me. I pull over on the INTERSTATE. Because this doesn't happen on a nice quiet suburb street with speed limits of 25 mph. But where the speed limit is 60 and you know people are passing me at 80 mph easily. I scoot over my car seat to examine my tires. What am I looking for? I have no idea. A huge gash, I touch the tires firmness, kick a few and climb back into my car to call my husband and cry. This is how I handle car problems. I used to call my dad but now with my mature age I call my spouse. I am thinking of any way in the world he could handle this problem and I could be on my way to work. In less than a year I have had to call my work and explain my abscence/tardiness on car problems at least three maybe four times. All true. But still how understanding can my company be? But my hubby convinces me to put on my big girl britches and get the car to the tire place. However with my crying and procrastinating the tire has begun to leak. I now officially have a flat tire as I find out as I start driving on the interstate. I beg for the car to hold on. As I slowly descend on the front driver side. As I wait at the stop light at the first available exit ramp where the tire place is located I feel my car slowly shift down. Even a fellow driver lowers his window to offer his expertise that my tire is indeed flat. I nod with my teary eyes and he thumbs ups me. Good I am glad our exchange has warranted a thumbs up. I felt like a hand gesture as well but as I had a death grip on the steering wheel in determined prayer and hope that the car will just last to the car place. I reach my destination (thank you GPS for your assistance). I grab my tire consultant. He escorts me to my car and asks if I was using my spare but he was able to answer his own question. Thank goodness as my eyes already moisten over with my lack of knowledge. Did I just hurt my tire which we have a lifetime guarnantee as we have had three nails in the tire issue again in under a year (thanks neighbors for all getting your roofs redone!) Oh no I damaged two rims pretty severely and as they can't match the rims exactly we might want to purchase four new rims. Oh goody. Stupid pothole! He helps me and in ten days the tires worked well. I was a little late for work but life went on. But starting Thanksgiving. We hear this rubbing, colliding, tumbling sound from the rear tire. We take it in to the tire shop not once but twice. The experts hear nothing. To me and my husband it sounds like we are about to lose the wheel on left handed turns and big bumps in the road. I could probably drive it to work but I am opting for the older truck (1995 vs 2008). I don't think work would appreciate a fourth call pertaining to vehichle issues. And I am not willing to risk my safety on two different interstates with the mystery sound. Stupid pothole! So you have hear my literal pothole issue.
Let's discuss those figurative potholes. Those food temptations that are too powerful to ignore. Those emotional triggers that cause rash reactions. Those stressful issues that overload positive actions. Those demanding unexpected bills that require as much attention as the routine bills. And illness that renders daily schedules and lists useless. I have recently dealt with a cold but what was even more demanding of attention was my son's illness. My poor li'l guy. It's official he has dealt with his first illness and it was a doozy. A rising temp nearing a 104 degrees F (I was terrified as I touched the back of his neck and it burnt my hand), an ear infection, bronchialitis with major congestion and trouble keeping his milk down. Like I said poor guy. With my cold and my pothole I was mustering through what I could. But shut down the world when my son got sick. He gained my whole attention and everything else faded into the background. Another pothole.
Things are improving and thankfully my son is rebounding well. I have been beating myself up over the backward steps and the non movement forward on my healthfull journey. Playing the scenarios in my head of different choices I could have made in attempt of missing the potholes. Sure I could have missed some of them but in return I might have hit others even harder. I have to remind myself. The potholes happened. They can't be erased and more will appear. I can try to swerve but sometimes they can't be avoided. We have to deal with the repercussions and only once the mess is contained and handled can we press forward once again. So slowly I am evaluating my position. How many steps backward did I take? And how quickly can I get back to the journey?
May your healthFULL journey contain few potholes. But when it does I pray that you will gain strength, wisdom, and that you remain as unharmed as possible. 'Til we meet again . . .
Let's discuss those figurative potholes. Those food temptations that are too powerful to ignore. Those emotional triggers that cause rash reactions. Those stressful issues that overload positive actions. Those demanding unexpected bills that require as much attention as the routine bills. And illness that renders daily schedules and lists useless. I have recently dealt with a cold but what was even more demanding of attention was my son's illness. My poor li'l guy. It's official he has dealt with his first illness and it was a doozy. A rising temp nearing a 104 degrees F (I was terrified as I touched the back of his neck and it burnt my hand), an ear infection, bronchialitis with major congestion and trouble keeping his milk down. Like I said poor guy. With my cold and my pothole I was mustering through what I could. But shut down the world when my son got sick. He gained my whole attention and everything else faded into the background. Another pothole.
Things are improving and thankfully my son is rebounding well. I have been beating myself up over the backward steps and the non movement forward on my healthfull journey. Playing the scenarios in my head of different choices I could have made in attempt of missing the potholes. Sure I could have missed some of them but in return I might have hit others even harder. I have to remind myself. The potholes happened. They can't be erased and more will appear. I can try to swerve but sometimes they can't be avoided. We have to deal with the repercussions and only once the mess is contained and handled can we press forward once again. So slowly I am evaluating my position. How many steps backward did I take? And how quickly can I get back to the journey?
May your healthFULL journey contain few potholes. But when it does I pray that you will gain strength, wisdom, and that you remain as unharmed as possible. 'Til we meet again . . .
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Hailing a new "Cab"-bage
Well it has been awhile since our household has tried a new produce. We've been choosing and purchasing but have planned meals poorly. So with a zest I declared today was a day I felt like cooking. This enthusiasm may have come from a week of not eating the healthiest and that yesterday we ate two meals - both purchased although we shopped with a meal plan. Today I decided to try a lunch with an "asian" flair - with flavors expressing that desire. We tried our hands at a curried carrot soup with an asian slaw. Together they sounded good but weren't as yummy as I hoped. On their own - delicious. Together - somewhat disconnected. But let's chat about this yummy slaw.
This is so sad to admit but I have never made a homemade coleslaw. I have purchased the bagged mix and then made the dressing. Which is homemade but a ridiculous waste of money. Also this was a nice change to coleslaw as no mayo was used. Exciting right? This was a recipe we found in a cookbook we have and then adapted. We used our new produce - Napa Cabbage (might also be called Chinese Cabbage). This might sound exotic but most supermarkets do carry this variety. It is mostly white with green tips. The shape is closer to an oval versus the round ball. It is a milder variety with more tender leaves. If you are looking for a cabbage wrap or want to eat the leaves raw I would suggest the napa cabbage is slightly sweeter and weaker to the bite.
Now let's talk about the slaw. Four veggies make up the base of the slaw - shredded napa cabbage, chopped green onion (or scallions), chopped bell pepper, and shredded carrot (which you would think would bridge this slaw with the carrot soup- flavor-wise). Then the dressing had a creamy peanut butter base with a mix of oils and vinegars. A true vinaigrette tends to follow the ration 3:1. Three parts of oil to one part of vinegar. This recipe called for quite a few vinegars and different oils which I encourage everyone to purchase a different flavor when shopping every now and again. It is a fun, quick way to change meal flavors. This dressing we used rice vinegar and white wine vinegar (as the original recipe called for rice wine vinegar)toasted sesame oil, vegetable oil, some soy sauce (adds saltiness), brown sugar (sweetness), and then some minced garlic and grated ginger. We added the sauce (more of a paste - but be careful adding water to loosen the mixture) - rinsed cabbage will share its liquid as the slaw sits and blends its flavors. The recipe then suggests right before serving adding some chopped peanuts. We had the peanuts ready and forgot to add. You need that bite or even the crunch of those crunchy noodles you can buy at the supermarket. The Napa cabbage is so tender that it lacks that crisp bite that slaws tend to have. So that extra bite from the peanuts or the crunchy noodles would add that texture. Because the flavor was delicious. A great produce find. This slaw would make an excellent addition to some grilled chicken rolled in a tortilla shell for a chicken slaw wrap.
May your HealthFULL Journey encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and yet still find joy and comfort when on unfamiliar ground. 'Til we meet again. . .
This is so sad to admit but I have never made a homemade coleslaw. I have purchased the bagged mix and then made the dressing. Which is homemade but a ridiculous waste of money. Also this was a nice change to coleslaw as no mayo was used. Exciting right? This was a recipe we found in a cookbook we have and then adapted. We used our new produce - Napa Cabbage (might also be called Chinese Cabbage). This might sound exotic but most supermarkets do carry this variety. It is mostly white with green tips. The shape is closer to an oval versus the round ball. It is a milder variety with more tender leaves. If you are looking for a cabbage wrap or want to eat the leaves raw I would suggest the napa cabbage is slightly sweeter and weaker to the bite.
Now let's talk about the slaw. Four veggies make up the base of the slaw - shredded napa cabbage, chopped green onion (or scallions), chopped bell pepper, and shredded carrot (which you would think would bridge this slaw with the carrot soup- flavor-wise). Then the dressing had a creamy peanut butter base with a mix of oils and vinegars. A true vinaigrette tends to follow the ration 3:1. Three parts of oil to one part of vinegar. This recipe called for quite a few vinegars and different oils which I encourage everyone to purchase a different flavor when shopping every now and again. It is a fun, quick way to change meal flavors. This dressing we used rice vinegar and white wine vinegar (as the original recipe called for rice wine vinegar)toasted sesame oil, vegetable oil, some soy sauce (adds saltiness), brown sugar (sweetness), and then some minced garlic and grated ginger. We added the sauce (more of a paste - but be careful adding water to loosen the mixture) - rinsed cabbage will share its liquid as the slaw sits and blends its flavors. The recipe then suggests right before serving adding some chopped peanuts. We had the peanuts ready and forgot to add. You need that bite or even the crunch of those crunchy noodles you can buy at the supermarket. The Napa cabbage is so tender that it lacks that crisp bite that slaws tend to have. So that extra bite from the peanuts or the crunchy noodles would add that texture. Because the flavor was delicious. A great produce find. This slaw would make an excellent addition to some grilled chicken rolled in a tortilla shell for a chicken slaw wrap.
May your HealthFULL Journey encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and yet still find joy and comfort when on unfamiliar ground. 'Til we meet again. . .
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Hippity Hop
Oh that's right I am down with my bad self. Several mornings I have attempted some Hip Hop. I love watching those moving contemporary pieces and storied Hip Hop on So You Think You Can Dance. That piece with Alex and Twitch two seasons ago - hands down the coolest dancing I have ever seen. I have mentioned my adoration for dancing. That secretly I believe a dancer hides within my soul - however she has never revealed herself physically. In my soul I am leaping and popping like nobody's business. In the physical body I resemble those hippos in tutus from Fantasia. But on this HealthFULL Journey I am learning just because its not perfect (nor won't ever be perfect) doesn't mean I shouldn't try. So I hit snooze in the morning until I peek open one eye and say at least ten minutes. One routine is ten minutes. I won't feel guilty, I'll feel a little bit of energy and something accomplished. I tell you a full thirty minute work out sets me up for a great day. But ten minutes helps me from feeling lost. So I pop in the Hip Hop DVD and start Hippity Hop. I say this because I give the moves an extra bounce or full on skip. This is that unrhythm I mentioned but it is still something.
Frustration easily sets in as I watch the "instructor" complete her thirtieth move with a smile and I got lost on the second with my two left feet. And there is definitely a voice that echoes in my being turn it off and crawl back into bed for these eight delicious minutes. But there is a smaller voice that cries from my soul their thanks. No the Russian Ballet won't be calling me soon but there is a part of my soul that rejoices. And slowly from the inside out and by consistently working out the outside in - I am carving out that joyous dancer. Hippity hop - crossover, back, crossover, step touch step, and turn around. As Monica says in an early Friends episode ( a rough paraphrase) - Girl in the back you're doing it(dancing) all wrong. Monica's response: But at least I'm doing it. That's my answer too. At least I'm doing it.
May your HealthFULL Journey transform you inside out and outside in and carve out the version of yourself that you've always wanted. "Til we meet again. . .
Frustration easily sets in as I watch the "instructor" complete her thirtieth move with a smile and I got lost on the second with my two left feet. And there is definitely a voice that echoes in my being turn it off and crawl back into bed for these eight delicious minutes. But there is a smaller voice that cries from my soul their thanks. No the Russian Ballet won't be calling me soon but there is a part of my soul that rejoices. And slowly from the inside out and by consistently working out the outside in - I am carving out that joyous dancer. Hippity hop - crossover, back, crossover, step touch step, and turn around. As Monica says in an early Friends episode ( a rough paraphrase) - Girl in the back you're doing it(dancing) all wrong. Monica's response: But at least I'm doing it. That's my answer too. At least I'm doing it.
May your HealthFULL Journey transform you inside out and outside in and carve out the version of yourself that you've always wanted. "Til we meet again. . .
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Temptation knocks the door down!
We've all heard the expression that we need to be careful because opportunity only knocks once. But let me tell you temptation knocks the door down with you behind it. In other words, temptation does not disappear. I fell hard this weekend. First you need to know that I did whip up four dozen cupcakes - two different flavors with two different HOMEMADE frostings for my son's first birthday. My baby is one!!! And yes I still call him my baby - we discussed it and agreed that on the eve of his eighteenth birthday we will discuss if he can still be called my baby boy (and I am pretty sure I will veto his answer :) We had yellow cake with cream cheese frosting which made our goalpost and then milk chocolate cupcakes with truffle frosting then made up our football (if you caught the colors were black and gold in our version - Geaux Saints and please don't mention the Rams we are still licking our wounds!) Oh this truffle frosting gave me a fight but I saw opportunity and I wasn't going to let my team down. You are suppose to not stir the mixture (against my better judgement and instinct) after you add the chocolate chunks to whipping cream and let it cool overnight. The next morning I had cream sitting on top of my seized chocolate. I could have thrown in the towel but I gave it a go. I reheated my chocolate double boiler style which makes me nervous and melted my chocolate and stirred the mixture together. Then I cooled the mixing bowl in the freezer. I tried to whip together my frosting after forty minutes but it needed more time to cool. I tried again after forty minutes and victory stomp because I had a frosting. YAY! I tell you this victory to share my fall.
Temptation is patient and knows you better than you do yourself. It darts in and out of your daily activities and when you think you are on top of the world it is ready to hammer you down and call you like a long lost siren. While you are running victory laps it begins to pat you on the back as it keeps pace with your wins. And then the pats on the back become taps on the shoulder and then a beckoning finger and luring whispers. Yes we celebrated Halloween - took our son to a mini version of trick or treat (we had to show off his adorableness in his Tigger costume), handed out candy and threw a party which we shopped for tasty ingredients and started to whip up some crowd favorites. The trick or treat no problem. When buying candy I chose a more expensive option to keep lower carb candy around in case I was tempted. But I guffaw at you candy. Not the least bit interested. I then whip up four dozen cupcakes not so much as a lick on the finger (and there have been many batters that I have sampled over the years). I left a couple of cupcakes frostingless as they were legal as a snack - without frosting. The day of the party I barely nibbled and when dinner came around I cautiously loaded my plate - guessing my best numbers on the carbs being consumed. Sunday through Thursday - High level of success. Mmmm Friday hits - little bit of temptation as my delicious frosting calls from the fridge. I should have thrown out the extra I know. Forget the cake I love frosting. Give me a corner piece any day - higher frosting ratio. I have not proudly bought frosting to just eat the frosting. I know! So I tell myself one spoonful for a sugar rush - You can stop trying to stifle your laughter because after one spoonful came the second spoonful and soon the third. Finally the fourth I reminded myself this has a lot of carbs and it was the fifth that I slammed the lid down and shoved the frosting back in the fridge. Whew not good - but not horrible. But then I had a leftover plate of the party fare - got to get rid of the leftovers. I did not count as well as I did Thursday. Must get away from temptation - friday night babysat and brought cupcakes to give away - invited my mom over saturday and passed off more cupcakes to her house. So Saturday night we don't want to cook and ordered in - Chinese. I enjoy Chinese food especially delivered. This is my go to order when I get a night all to myself. Order chinese - turn on a good movie and call it a day. We avoided deep fried and overtly sweet sauces (which is really the point in my mind - grease plus sweet yum!) Tried to order with 1/2 way consideration of carbs. Listen to how temptation baits me slowly and then goes in for the kill Sunday. I didn't even attempt to count carbs. It was a free for all - all day long. I drank all the diet soda I wanted. Ate two cupcakes with frosting, some cheese curls with reckless abandon, chinese leftovers, ice cream, and some frosting spoonfuls. I went bonkers. And didn't feel so good - physically, mentally, and just overall out of whack. Slowly I am pulling myself back together. I was getting to boastful and arrogant. Blowing on my nails like I got this in the bag. And slowly creeping back into the world of denial. Thankfully my blood sugar meter doesn't hold any punches. My numbers did raise quite a bit but not scary high. Enough of a visual reminder - STOP in the name of love. Yes some days it feels hard to live this new lifestyle and sometimes we need a treat. I refuse A Treat (not ten - twenty, you get the picture). But in the end. These choices are for me and what I really want out of life to become truly HealthFULL (Fully understand Life by Living) so that I can enjoy every minute of this life with my beautiful son and amazing hubby. I am beyond blessed - why would I want to rob myself of this pleasure? For spoonfuls of frosting? Never. In the moment yes it is easy to let temptation sweep into our lives and cause horrible disruption. But in the big picture if we can just keep a little bit of our clarity it is so easy to stomp out those nagging thoughts, whispering lures, and annoying taps. Temptation will always be knocking down our doors but we always have the choice to slam the doors right back on them. Join me in saying good riddance to your annoying pests.
May your HealthFULL Journey be full of knocks of opportunities and that temptation only makes you stronger to say no to those that don't matter and yes to what does. 'Til we meet again. . .
Temptation is patient and knows you better than you do yourself. It darts in and out of your daily activities and when you think you are on top of the world it is ready to hammer you down and call you like a long lost siren. While you are running victory laps it begins to pat you on the back as it keeps pace with your wins. And then the pats on the back become taps on the shoulder and then a beckoning finger and luring whispers. Yes we celebrated Halloween - took our son to a mini version of trick or treat (we had to show off his adorableness in his Tigger costume), handed out candy and threw a party which we shopped for tasty ingredients and started to whip up some crowd favorites. The trick or treat no problem. When buying candy I chose a more expensive option to keep lower carb candy around in case I was tempted. But I guffaw at you candy. Not the least bit interested. I then whip up four dozen cupcakes not so much as a lick on the finger (and there have been many batters that I have sampled over the years). I left a couple of cupcakes frostingless as they were legal as a snack - without frosting. The day of the party I barely nibbled and when dinner came around I cautiously loaded my plate - guessing my best numbers on the carbs being consumed. Sunday through Thursday - High level of success. Mmmm Friday hits - little bit of temptation as my delicious frosting calls from the fridge. I should have thrown out the extra I know. Forget the cake I love frosting. Give me a corner piece any day - higher frosting ratio. I have not proudly bought frosting to just eat the frosting. I know! So I tell myself one spoonful for a sugar rush - You can stop trying to stifle your laughter because after one spoonful came the second spoonful and soon the third. Finally the fourth I reminded myself this has a lot of carbs and it was the fifth that I slammed the lid down and shoved the frosting back in the fridge. Whew not good - but not horrible. But then I had a leftover plate of the party fare - got to get rid of the leftovers. I did not count as well as I did Thursday. Must get away from temptation - friday night babysat and brought cupcakes to give away - invited my mom over saturday and passed off more cupcakes to her house. So Saturday night we don't want to cook and ordered in - Chinese. I enjoy Chinese food especially delivered. This is my go to order when I get a night all to myself. Order chinese - turn on a good movie and call it a day. We avoided deep fried and overtly sweet sauces (which is really the point in my mind - grease plus sweet yum!) Tried to order with 1/2 way consideration of carbs. Listen to how temptation baits me slowly and then goes in for the kill Sunday. I didn't even attempt to count carbs. It was a free for all - all day long. I drank all the diet soda I wanted. Ate two cupcakes with frosting, some cheese curls with reckless abandon, chinese leftovers, ice cream, and some frosting spoonfuls. I went bonkers. And didn't feel so good - physically, mentally, and just overall out of whack. Slowly I am pulling myself back together. I was getting to boastful and arrogant. Blowing on my nails like I got this in the bag. And slowly creeping back into the world of denial. Thankfully my blood sugar meter doesn't hold any punches. My numbers did raise quite a bit but not scary high. Enough of a visual reminder - STOP in the name of love. Yes some days it feels hard to live this new lifestyle and sometimes we need a treat. I refuse A Treat (not ten - twenty, you get the picture). But in the end. These choices are for me and what I really want out of life to become truly HealthFULL (Fully understand Life by Living) so that I can enjoy every minute of this life with my beautiful son and amazing hubby. I am beyond blessed - why would I want to rob myself of this pleasure? For spoonfuls of frosting? Never. In the moment yes it is easy to let temptation sweep into our lives and cause horrible disruption. But in the big picture if we can just keep a little bit of our clarity it is so easy to stomp out those nagging thoughts, whispering lures, and annoying taps. Temptation will always be knocking down our doors but we always have the choice to slam the doors right back on them. Join me in saying good riddance to your annoying pests.
May your HealthFULL Journey be full of knocks of opportunities and that temptation only makes you stronger to say no to those that don't matter and yes to what does. 'Til we meet again. . .
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Squeezing in
So often our lives our overflowing: schedules jam-packed, ever-growing to - do lists, and the overflowing belly which some may call muffintop. And what's crazy? We do it to ourselves. We say yes a million times over - we add things to do on our list and we watch as we loosen the belts. Priorities are an amazing tool. Sure have a to do list let it be miles long but know when we need to drop the list and live. When a friend calls, when a baby coughs, when we are falling ill - those are the moments that aren't scheduled but are usually the hours that truly matter. A lot on our schedules is to help others we say. Or is it our pride? Is it that we want to be super impressive. Maybe I shared this before but years ago I had a professor tell me that. I was giving him a million excuses why homework was missing or why I didn't study (the course if you are curious was Greek) and he said that we don't say no because we are too proud. I think about that a lot. I like to dress up my reasons as beneficial to those around me. But I like the accolades and the look of awe when I pull off the amazing - but that is only the rare occasion. Usually what happens is not everything can get done and if it is - not very well. So isn't it better for everyone if I say yes to what really matters? I thought so. Health became a big priority. For October it was center stage and I was rewarded in so many ways. I feel rested. I feel calmer instead of intense mood swings. and Energy - oh how I have missed that feeling. Between the high blood sugar and being a new mom (with an almost one year old - where did that time go???) I just ran out of steam. I felt like I had to be perfect and squeeze into the model form of perfect mom, perfect wife, perfect aunt, perfect daughter, perfect friend, perfect worker, and just felt pulled apart. No one else demanded this of me. No one asked me to be different because I had a child in my life. Will a child change you? Absolutely! But I haven't been adapting to changes but demanding myself to be different. What is stressing me now? A cake. Crazy right? My son turns one this week and I want to bake him the perfect cake. I'm not really a baker. He won't remember this birthday but I feel I fail as a mom if I can't create a birthday cake from scratch and mold it into a football or helmet or Drew Brees (we're Saints fans :) And slowly my hubby has talked me off the crazy ledge and bought me cake mixes. He is encouraging me to make my own frosting if I feel I must create. But in the end - will I be burned at the stake because I buy frosting. No. See here is where I need to mark the priorities on the to - do list. What is more important to my son. That I avoid him for four hours stressing over the perfect cake? (Which he will have a small portion - not understand why I baked it or really what it is). Or that I cuddle with him and play and sing. He won't remember either choice. But I will. And I know what version will mean more to me. So to those eating the cake I apologize for my lack of perfection. But I refuse to keep squeezing every perfect detail into my life. The good news is that when you choose your priorities instead of them running YOU down; the good stuff happens. No longer am I squeezing into my jam packed schedule, running myself ragged with to do lists , and less fighting the belt. I actually fit into most of my clothes in my closet. This is a fun feat. There have been six pairs of jeans that I would guiltily look through when pushing the hangers. I can easily pull on two pair and squeeze into two until an inch away from the last breathbut I am not focusing on the pairs I can only squeeze in. Priorities help us to remember what truly matters.
May your HealthFULL Journey not be a race that you have to squeeze into the audience just to feel included. May it be a moment to take in the sights, enjoy what is important, and feel lucky to finally LIVE. 'Til we meet again. . .
May your HealthFULL Journey not be a race that you have to squeeze into the audience just to feel included. May it be a moment to take in the sights, enjoy what is important, and feel lucky to finally LIVE. 'Til we meet again. . .
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Cool as a Cucumber
What a fun week! I truly enjoyed my TGIF as I looked forward to a couple hours with me, myself, and I. Heavenly as it started with a leisurely stroll through our local library. I picked up a couple of new excercise DVDs to try - Cardio Hip Hop and some Yoga. I may not hit every step (as my Wii Fit reminded me this morning that I seriously lack rhythm) but I will have some fun. Speaking of my friend Wii Fit. I counted my stamps for showing up - 15 out of the last eighteen days. Yay me! I "work out" at least thirty minutes to an hour on the Wii Fit. And the three days missing stamps - I could recall walking at least thirty minutes those three days. Reminders! Stickers, marks, measurements, scale, lists, blood sugar readings - anything visual to remind ourselves that we are making positive changes and true healthFULL strides. Its easy to throw in the towel when you feel the world against you - the scale numbers went up, pants feel tight, or you feel HUNGRY. Not hungry lets grab an apple or a handful of nuts. I'm talking HUNGRY where you will hop into the car and drive to the nearest fast food while speed dialing the pizza place for your old friends that brought happiness (brief along with shame, guilt, fat, carbs, grease - you get the point :) Thats the exact moment you need a reminder. These changes are making a difference. And speaking of changes while at the library I picked up a book to offer me guidance on adjusting to the diabetes diagnosis and a cook book dedicated to those who don't want to sacrifice flavor but want to remain carb conscious.
And speaking of cooking? I have found myself in the kitchen a lot this week. My hubby was the main chef tonight (grilling up some cheesy Portabella mushroom burgers - where the mushroom is the patty - hold the bun for me) and I helped with the sides; yummy acorn squash and drumroll as I prepared our featured rookie produce of the week - hothouse cucumbers. Oh I enjoy cucumbers. Actually I have a story from when I was in Alaska. I stayed with many wonderful people who went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and trying to prepare meals with my uncommon food restrictions. At the time I was eighteen and I didn't eat pork, red meat, or caffeine (that's right no chocolate) for about six years. I also missed home comforts and our kitchen staples. When you grow up with certain pantry items you assume everyone has them all the time. Not the case. We were staying in a fishing cabin and as we were guests we rarely shopped for our meals. They were provided so no room to really complain. But that also means we had little say in our meals. I remember the host offered cucumber slices. I went bananas. Something fresh and raw that I like. It was cool and crisp and tasty. I used to dissect my food. I didn't like food to touch and liked flavors separate. I ate the non favorite items first and left my favorites for the end. Meaning sub sandwiches I would eat the lettuce and tomato first (wasn't a fan) and then the meat and then the yummy cheese and maybe some of the bread. Or salads I would pick out the tomatoes and gulp them down, olives, and then left the one or two cucumber slices with a little ranch for near the end , right before the croutons. And when the host offered such a simple treat it brought back that joy of a simple treat and comfort of home. My mom makes me a special creamy cucumber salad (that to this day I am not sure if anyone else in our house liked it).
So I tried to marinate my Hothouse cucumber today. Something cooler to go against the warming cozy squash. It was okay. I enjoyed the cucumber the peel is not very thick. And the cucumber has length (at least 16 inches). Not too many seeds, mellow flavor. But I didn't pick the best marinade. A recipe suggested an onion to accompany the cucumber but we were down to our last onion in the house and who doesn't love some caramelized onions on their burger - especially if it is bunless :) I used a white wine vinegar with some fennel seed (which gives it a licorice kick at the end), pepper, onion powder to accomodate the missing veggie (poor substitute choice as you need the bite of onion more than the flavor), a little dill (because it's a friendly well-known flavor to the cucumber) and a pinch of a sugar. It needed to marinade a little longer with a little more sweetness. Which possibly could have come from the onion. Good produce, poor choices.
It was a tasty meal and our adventures in the kitchen is bringing my hubby closer. Not only do we share discussion of how to prepare items and a chance to rub shoulders but to build memories and traditions. Since I am a romantic at heart I love having a cheesy unified foundation to share with our son as he grows older.
May your HealthFULL Journey help you discover your simple pleasures, form heartwarming traditions, and joy. 'Til we meet again. . .
And speaking of cooking? I have found myself in the kitchen a lot this week. My hubby was the main chef tonight (grilling up some cheesy Portabella mushroom burgers - where the mushroom is the patty - hold the bun for me) and I helped with the sides; yummy acorn squash and drumroll as I prepared our featured rookie produce of the week - hothouse cucumbers. Oh I enjoy cucumbers. Actually I have a story from when I was in Alaska. I stayed with many wonderful people who went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and trying to prepare meals with my uncommon food restrictions. At the time I was eighteen and I didn't eat pork, red meat, or caffeine (that's right no chocolate) for about six years. I also missed home comforts and our kitchen staples. When you grow up with certain pantry items you assume everyone has them all the time. Not the case. We were staying in a fishing cabin and as we were guests we rarely shopped for our meals. They were provided so no room to really complain. But that also means we had little say in our meals. I remember the host offered cucumber slices. I went bananas. Something fresh and raw that I like. It was cool and crisp and tasty. I used to dissect my food. I didn't like food to touch and liked flavors separate. I ate the non favorite items first and left my favorites for the end. Meaning sub sandwiches I would eat the lettuce and tomato first (wasn't a fan) and then the meat and then the yummy cheese and maybe some of the bread. Or salads I would pick out the tomatoes and gulp them down, olives, and then left the one or two cucumber slices with a little ranch for near the end , right before the croutons. And when the host offered such a simple treat it brought back that joy of a simple treat and comfort of home. My mom makes me a special creamy cucumber salad (that to this day I am not sure if anyone else in our house liked it).
So I tried to marinate my Hothouse cucumber today. Something cooler to go against the warming cozy squash. It was okay. I enjoyed the cucumber the peel is not very thick. And the cucumber has length (at least 16 inches). Not too many seeds, mellow flavor. But I didn't pick the best marinade. A recipe suggested an onion to accompany the cucumber but we were down to our last onion in the house and who doesn't love some caramelized onions on their burger - especially if it is bunless :) I used a white wine vinegar with some fennel seed (which gives it a licorice kick at the end), pepper, onion powder to accomodate the missing veggie (poor substitute choice as you need the bite of onion more than the flavor), a little dill (because it's a friendly well-known flavor to the cucumber) and a pinch of a sugar. It needed to marinade a little longer with a little more sweetness. Which possibly could have come from the onion. Good produce, poor choices.
It was a tasty meal and our adventures in the kitchen is bringing my hubby closer. Not only do we share discussion of how to prepare items and a chance to rub shoulders but to build memories and traditions. Since I am a romantic at heart I love having a cheesy unified foundation to share with our son as he grows older.
May your HealthFULL Journey help you discover your simple pleasures, form heartwarming traditions, and joy. 'Til we meet again. . .
Friday, October 28, 2011
Hit that Snooze one more time
Oh you've done it. Admit it. You hit the snooze button. More than once, almost every day. Lately we don't use the alarm clock. Oh we set it every night pretending that is the time we get to sleep. However, our alarm is a cute 2 1/2 ft almost one year old with might fine lungs. And he is enjoying learning how to use his "voice". Each morning we are awakened to a "new" sound. Sometimes giggles, cries, screams, babble, and pitches from murmuring to squealing. But this alarm comes with no snooze. He runs on his own energy source and only when he deems it is snooze time will the alarm be quieted. But this morning I had to work early so I awoke to the alarm. . . at 5:30 am. I have been faithfully working out in the morning to feel energetic and trying to lower the blood sugar ASAP. With life these days if I leave the work out until later; later NEVER happens.
But this morning was a SNOOzzzzze morning. Where thirty minutes would make a world of difference. I even argued in my head as I returned to bed across the room. If I want work outs to be a priority then here is my chance. To choose exercise over sleep, to choose health right now vs. I'll get to it. And then I crawled into my covers and nestled my pillow. And thirty minutes later I hit the snooze one more time for a five minute refresher. Then I forced myself out of bed scolding myself I am going to regret missing that uninterrupted time for exercise. Finally I bartered with myself and scheduled myself to walk at least a half hour at work (even arguing with myself I couldn't help but snicker "Yeah right!")
Hold on though - I didn't walk thirty minutes today at work I walked forty-five. That's right I was able to squeeze in 5000 steps right around my office. Did I want to? Not every step of the way. Am I glad that I did it? Resounding yes! Because once I left work it became a whirlwind of little events that become easy distractions.
Health has became a major priority. No excercising isn't always my number one on the list. But it is high and is a must do on the list. Not the list ; when I have time, later, soon, whatever, who cares. Because excercise has been on all of those lists. Now movement hits the list with a planned agenda - when, where, and for how long. I snuck my tennis shoes on my feet as a way of telling myself. You're doing this and there is no excuse. You've got your shoes, you've got the time, and you could use the boost (sunshine, fresh air, endorphin rush, you name it - I needed it :)
I feel good. It's amazing how accomplished I feel because I crossed an important to do off my list. Yeah it is frustrating that it will be right back on top of the list tomorrow. But for today it was crossed off. Just have to keep reminding myself - this is not a healthFULL race but a HealthFULL journey.
May your HealthFULL Journey find successful and satisfying ways to accomplish your priorities. 'Til we meet again. . .
But this morning was a SNOOzzzzze morning. Where thirty minutes would make a world of difference. I even argued in my head as I returned to bed across the room. If I want work outs to be a priority then here is my chance. To choose exercise over sleep, to choose health right now vs. I'll get to it. And then I crawled into my covers and nestled my pillow. And thirty minutes later I hit the snooze one more time for a five minute refresher. Then I forced myself out of bed scolding myself I am going to regret missing that uninterrupted time for exercise. Finally I bartered with myself and scheduled myself to walk at least a half hour at work (even arguing with myself I couldn't help but snicker "Yeah right!")
Hold on though - I didn't walk thirty minutes today at work I walked forty-five. That's right I was able to squeeze in 5000 steps right around my office. Did I want to? Not every step of the way. Am I glad that I did it? Resounding yes! Because once I left work it became a whirlwind of little events that become easy distractions.
Health has became a major priority. No excercising isn't always my number one on the list. But it is high and is a must do on the list. Not the list ; when I have time, later, soon, whatever, who cares. Because excercise has been on all of those lists. Now movement hits the list with a planned agenda - when, where, and for how long. I snuck my tennis shoes on my feet as a way of telling myself. You're doing this and there is no excuse. You've got your shoes, you've got the time, and you could use the boost (sunshine, fresh air, endorphin rush, you name it - I needed it :)
I feel good. It's amazing how accomplished I feel because I crossed an important to do off my list. Yeah it is frustrating that it will be right back on top of the list tomorrow. But for today it was crossed off. Just have to keep reminding myself - this is not a healthFULL race but a HealthFULL journey.
May your HealthFULL Journey find successful and satisfying ways to accomplish your priorities. 'Til we meet again. . .
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Snack Attack
Oh munchies how you catch up to when I am weak;
And convince me that anything sweet or salty is what I seek.
You rumble in my belly
until my cravings range anywhere from chips to peanut butter and jelly.
I try to plan so I am not caught unaware
but you wait until I'm tired, frutrasted, and just don't care.
You watch for that perfect moment when I crumble
so that your lure tempts me through the cupboards to fumble.
I grab something...anything that will quickly quiet you.
What will do?
Something salty or sweet? Something gooey or with a crunch?
My resolve fading but yelling we just had a satisfying lunch!
Oh munchies you do win from time to time.
But I am getting stronger and will soon be in my prime.
It will only get harder to turn my head with your call.
Occasionally I do hit the wall
And today you won.
But munchies, this battle is far from being done!!!!
And convince me that anything sweet or salty is what I seek.
You rumble in my belly
until my cravings range anywhere from chips to peanut butter and jelly.
I try to plan so I am not caught unaware
but you wait until I'm tired, frutrasted, and just don't care.
You watch for that perfect moment when I crumble
so that your lure tempts me through the cupboards to fumble.
I grab something...anything that will quickly quiet you.
What will do?
Something salty or sweet? Something gooey or with a crunch?
My resolve fading but yelling we just had a satisfying lunch!
Oh munchies you do win from time to time.
But I am getting stronger and will soon be in my prime.
It will only get harder to turn my head with your call.
Occasionally I do hit the wall
And today you won.
But munchies, this battle is far from being done!!!!
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