What Makes Me Happy? I Don't Know.

I have been pondering some serious personal questions lately: Who am I?  What makes me happy?  What would I really like to be doing?

Those may seem simple to some of you, but when you are/have been a wife, mother, teacher, for so long, those things consume your life.  Your decisions are always made through those filters and you lose yourself.  You put your wants on the back burner in light of what is best for the family, relationship, children, future, security, etc.

I heard recently that to find your bliss you should remember back to your childhood dream.  That doesn't help me.  I didn't have a childhood dream.  My life was just about surviving.  Crazy childhood aside, I knew I would go to college as I always felt school was my safe/happy place.  I succeeded there and was recognized for my effort.  Things were predictable.  Effort equaled success.

Now, in mid-life, I have the ability to choose and go after a dream.  Only problem is, I don't know what the dream is.  I know that somehow it involves using my creativity and problem solving.  I love both of these things.  I find I get to do these things when I garden, craft, make art, and when I cook.

Teaching used to be more creative than it is now.  Testing and data are main drivers of education now.  Creativity will get you the data you need but this idea seems lost in the current throes of educational policy.  Things that are fun and creative have to be justified and reduced to meet a one sentence objective or standard.

My favorite job when I was going to college was working at a frame shop.  I help clients pick out molding or ready-made frames for their paintings, needlework, and photographs.  I professioanlly framed their objects.  I helped with choosing matting and asked about their style and decor.  I sold art supplies.  I worked with creative people and creative clients.  Everything about the job/the people wasn't perfect, but I did like my job.

I know that whatever job/business I do, it has to have a major creative aspect to it.  As of now, that is all I know.  I've just begun to ponder the questions above and beyond this, I don't have any answers.

Key Question to Ask When Purging Clothes Closets

As previously mentioned, I have been working on the 30-day declutter challenge.  Day 1, 1 item is either given away, thrown away, or sold.  Day 2, you up that to two items.  Day 15, fifteen items are chosen, etc.  In reality, this challenge is harder than it sounds after day twelve or so.

It didn't help that the Thanksgiving holiday was in this month, which meant my focus was elsewhere.  However, I did do it for many of the days and now have enough to fill another large black trash bag to donate and a smaller one to let my sister go through.  Just in the last two days, I have decluttered 35 things from my closet.  Barely makes a dent but I am glad to get these things donated and free up some space.

I am not one to keep an array of sizes in my closet.  Almost everything is the same size with just a few outliers.  This means that choosing items that no longer fit is not an effective way to purge.  I have found the question that helps me the most:  Would I buy this today if I saw it in the store?  That seems simple, and yet it is very effective.

I find that I am more apt to say yes to solid colors and no to prints.  I find it easier to get rid of the few pink shades of clothing rather then my favorite blues and turquoises.  Can I really own too many black slacks?  Okay, perhaps I should pick a number, such as eight, and stick with it.

Several years ago, I heard/read some advice to organize by color.  This seemed very intuitive to me as I often choose what I'm wearing by color or mood.  This has allowed me to be a bit more organized in knowing when my wardrobe is becoming monochromatic and needs something different.  Often that tropical orange skirt, that I bought because of this need to spice things up, winds up being one of the first things purged a year or two down the road.  I don't mind as I usually get enough wear out of it to make the purchase worth it.

Organizing by color also makes putting clean laundry away a much easier task.  It also makes it possible for me to rearrange a bit for the seasons.  I do not pack away winter/summer clothes seasonally.  Rather, as the seasons start to change, I put things away to the edges of the color sections rather than the easily accessible middle and to group long sleeve and short sleeve items.  Where I live, the weather can be unpredictable and one may need a long sleeved tee or cardigan in the late spring and early summer.  Also, in winter, sleeveless blouses are great for wearing with suits on those balmier winter days.

I have worked between 1-2 hours each day for the last three days.  Last night was a bit random as my daughter needed something professional for an mock-interview and wanted to try on several blouses.  She found one but caused my 'system' to get off track.  My plan was to work around the closet clockwise but now I find myself dealing with clothes instead of shoes.   Tonight she asked about shoes!  We wear the same size but her foot is very narrow so many regular width shoes just will not stay on her feet.  So, to the other side of the closet we went.  Guess it doesn't really matter as long as it gets done.

As in all things regarding individual lifestyles, you have to find what works for you.  I have taken some before pictures but here is one to start.  The closet is awkward.  It is narrow with two doors in the middle, one to the BR and one to the Bath.  One side is for hanging and the other has shelves.  Right not I hang things everywhere: off hooks on both doors and a shoe rack in the mddle.  Right now it just looks like a huge mess with access to the tub in the joining bathroom blocked by piles of clothes that I've taken out to sort through.  Thank goodness I have two other bathrooms to bathe in as this is a big undertaking and could take a while.

A Bit of Success and Dairy Equals Misery

Truth: Effort equals success. I started back on the Rice Diet last Monday to get myself back on track with my weight loss.  The next day, Tuesday, I found out we were going on a three day trip to another state.  Nooooo! I was so psyched to have a plan and get back on track.  Well, I stuck with the RD through Thursday then did the best that I could to stay WFPB non processed during the trip.  Payoff: down 2.5 pounds.  Okay, not bad.  So I continue this week with WFPB eating with the RD in mind to control portions.

Warning to those eating WFPB diet: if you go off of it, be prepared for misery.  I purchased some yogurt which I thought was non-dairy.  It said coconut but ended up being coconut flavored, not coconut milk based.  I didn't notice until I had consumed almost the whole four ounces and then saw it was whole milk based.  The packaging and colors of the label was very close to Soy Delicious.  Well, yesterday was spent with a severe sinus-type headache, nausea, and diarrhea.  Lasted all day.  I didn't take anything for it as I knew my system needed to get that dairy out of my system.  It was a long miserable, pain-filled day.  Today, I'm all better.

I am working on decluttering some more and began the 30 day decluttering challenge on the fourth and worked backward to catch up. Now the trip and being ill has set me back on that but I will just start from today, the 16th and work on my 16 things for today.  This is not as easy as it sounds when you get to large numbers unless you tackle a big project like a clothes closet.  I need to do that but it is not in the schedule for today.

Enjoying Alexa for playing music.  I'm listening to Top Christian radio now.  'She' frustrates me, however, as it seems she cannot answer anything but the simplest of questions.  She doesn't know: When will the next asteroid belt pass through our solar system?  When was the last earthquake in Oklahoma?  How do I clean a laminate counter top?    Ugh!  They just added a feature to make your own lists, however.  Enjoying that as I can now add to my Around the House list.

Autumn is my favorite season and today is certainly a beautiful day to enjoy the colors and leaves.  If you haven't gotten out for a fall drive to be a leaf peeper, you better hurry; winter is around the corner.

Getting Back on Track Using the Rice Diet

Sometimes my train just jumps the track.  It may be my household train, my finance train, or in this case my healthy eating train.  My train derailed in late July and I haven't got it completely on the track since.  In previous posts, I wrote about high school sports and the challenges that brought.  I've tried to get back on track after that but have not been completely successful....yet.

When I first began a WFPB diet with no meat, eggs, or dairy, I began on April 1, 2017 after a little over a year being vegetarian again.  My catalyst was a high blood pressure reading at my annual physical.  I researched and chose the Rice Diet, as practice by Dr. Kempner, due to the success it had shown with reducing blood pressure.  It was very successful with that and my blood pressure was normalized within two weeks.

I did not follow it to 100% perfection but I had great success with it for BP and for weight loss. I was pretty strict with it for two weeks and then transitioned to The Starch Solution.  I was able to lose about 12 pounds from April 1- May 30th.  Another 3 came off during the month of June.  Then vacations stalled the weight loss part as my diet varied even more.  Evening travel and time away from cooking, including junk food, brought back a few pounds, eight to be exact during eight weeks of  high school tennis season.  Water accounts for a chunk of that as I have not watched my salt intake as closely either. So now it's time for a big kick in the butt.

I love The Starch Solution, by Dr. McDougall, and that is sort of how I've been eating since mid-April.  Certainly rice was a part of that but it wasn't as restrictive as the Rice Diet.  Of course after July I added way too many processed foods/snacks which did not help me get back on track.  I realize that this is real life and this scenario is likely to happen again.  There will probably be times in the future where I dip too often into processed foods and veer away from a WFPB diet.

Therefore, November 6, 2017, tomorrow, I will go back to the strict Rice Diet again.  Simple starch and some fruit, no salt, and lots of water.  I was satisfied eating that way and I feel it really cleansed my palate and jump started my body to detox and helped me focused on making healthy food choices.  That is what I want again and why I am choosing something that had only positive outcomes for me. 

 I made a no-fat, vegan supper with lentil loaf, mashed potatoes, and peas.  Lots of fiber, lots of starch, and plenty of vitamins.  It was very good and the lentil loaf was a recipe from High-Carb Hannah.  Leftovers for the family are pictured below.  None for me, tomorrow, of course. Thought I would try out a recipe for Thanksgiving dinner.  I have a couple more to try before my final decision.

If anyone else is following, or would like to follow The Rice Diet, comment below.  Maybe we can buddy-up on this journey and help each other along.  I am thinking about doing a combination with Intermittent Fasting (IF), as I think there are big advantages to that also. 

Minimum Progress on Minimizing; Looking for List Making App

Sometimes I just have to psyche myself out.  Actually, I have to do it quite often.  It is amazing how much of life is a mind game first before anything else comes into play.  This week has taken a bit of self-analysis.

I have made minimal progress in all of the areas of my life I am currently targeting.  I saw the most progress in my diet as I have been home more and cooking so it is much more clean than the previous 8 weeks.  I've focused on cutting out fat from my plant-based diet and am now back in One-derland.  Still a handful more to get down to my June weight before continuing on to goal.

I have started each day with a list of three things, yes, just three, I wanted to get done each day.  I have surpassed that each day.  Finally, painted the shelves in a bathroom that I left after painting the rest of the room earlier this year.  I still need to take the hardware off of the cabinets and paint those.

I have made minimal progress on decluttering but it is my focus for today.  I do have two large black trash bags ready to take to Salvation Army but last time I went by they were not accepting donations.  Rural America does not have an abundance fo donation centers for thrift stores and such.  I can get more together and call DAV from the city to come pick it up.

I worked in my craft room for about two hours on two evenings this week.  I actually made a birthday card for a family member.  It's been since May that I have created anything.  I do need to put creative time as a priority as it is very good for my mental health.

Today, my goal is to purge 30 items.  That will equal two a day for each day this month including tomorrow.  I think that is an attainable goal and will get the ball rolling in the right direction.  Sometimes little steps toward a goal are very motivating especially when I feel behind.

In Bible study, we are studying women in the Bible.  It is interesting to see how I can still relate to women from thousands of years ago.  It has also been revealing to see how the Bible honors women in so many capacities and it quite destroys the argument that some have about limiting the role of women in the church.  I study with a wonderful group of women of all ages and learn so much from each every week.  Some of the youngest cause me to challenge myself the most.  I am humbled by their insight.

I have been short changing myself on sleep due to a game called Township.  This is quiet an embarassing admission for a grown woman but  here it is.  The game is simple yet challenging.  I like the logistics of it and it appeals to my left brain.  I happened on to the game after I purchased a new Fire tablet.  I like to have it for quick look ups, reading on the go, and logging my food on Cronometer.com.  It came with many free app downloads and I tried a few many of which did not appeal to me or function correctly.  Township has turned out to be pretty good in a bad sort of way.  It, like so many online thngs, is a time stealer.  I am going to have to come up with a strategy to limit it or just delete it.

I really would like an app that allows me to make list, has some choices to populate a lists so I don't have to enter each item, and that will keep items completed so I can just add them again if needed.  Right now, everything I've tried takes more time to enter items than it takes with pencil and paper.  Any suggestions.  If you have a great list making app or way to do it on the computer through googledocs so I can access it anytime, please leave a comment so I can try it.

P.S.  10:21p.m. and I have given away, thrown away, or recyled 35 things.

I Think I Can, I Think I Can: WFPB and Minimalism

Getting off of the processed food has been harder than I thought it would be.  When you've spent the last eight weeks eating salty chips, fries, and other 'quick' vegan foods, crawling out of that self-dug hole is pretty hard.  I'm still trying though.  Like the Little Engine That Could, I will make it up and over this mountain.

I've been enjoying the idea that my evenings over the next few months will not be spent traveling and attending high school sporting events.  I do enjoy it when we are in the season, but I also enjoy when it ends.  Seven hours a day at least three times per week doing that is nearly a full time job with no pay.

The insanity in our world continues.  Both natural and man-made tragedies seem to be rampant.  I have to shield myself from some of that negativity or it paralyzes me.  I watch the 'news' long enough to get the headlines and some details and then I simply must turn it off.  I pray over all of it and then I have to focus on something else or I become overwhelmed.  It seems like the 'news' can report on one topic all day long as they seem to build their reporting around people's opinions.  I have to just say "No".  Enough is enough.

How can we expect from others what we do not have ourselves.  If we are discontent, self-serving, and ungrateful, how can we expect others to be the opposite.  At some point we have to stop the hypocrisy.

If I am grateful for my health, then I should show that by doing the best I can to maintain that health.  For me that is a whole food, plant based diet.  If I am grateful for my home, then I should spend time everyday taking care of it.  If I am grateful for my family, then I should invest my time in them.

I have quite a few elderly, 65-85, people in my life.  I see them age daily.  Through them I have been forced to confront my own aging.  Part of that confrontation has been looking around my house at all of the stuff I own.  That is leading me down the path of minimalism.

I probably will never own just 10 pieces of clothing or two pairs of shoes.  My shelves will never be sparse or void of books and knick-knacks.  Lately, however, I do feel the need to decrease the amount of stuff I own.  I surely don't want to leave my mess to someone else.

I also need to quit putting off the things I say I want to do and actually invest time doing them.  It seems I am often waiting for the perfect time to do things.  I have to adjust my thinking on that.  I have to capture minutes instead of hours.  I found this quote recently: "Don't wait for things to get easier, simpler, or better.  Life will always be complicated. Learn to be happy right now.  Otherwise, you'll run out of time."  So I need to do those crafts, make those recipes, read those books, or pass them on to someone who will.  So I say to simplified eating and living, I think I can, I think I can....and I will.

Vegan Junk Food Exists

High school tennis season has been in full swing since August first.  It will end next week.  I'm so glad.  I enjoy watching the tennis matches and supporting my child but it wreaks havoc on healthy eating.

In rural America, we can count on a few things: dirt roads, volunteer fire departments, and a Subway and Sonic in every town.  For those of us eating WFPB and traveling, this is a challenge.  Subway sandwiches do not travel well although I enjoy ordering a veggie sandwich just how I like it.  That leaves Sonic and tater tots.  I find Sonic the least healthy option when traveling and forced to eat fast food.  I have eaten more tater tots the last 8 weeks than I have eaten in my life and the little sponges of grease are showing on the scale.

Up six pounds since July.  Not all the fault of tots as there have been a few chips in the mix.  This weight gain is now halted and I will continue going down once again.  Best to nip it in the bud before six turns into 10.  I'm not willing to go there.

Instant Pot is coming in handy once or twice per week when we are home for the evening meal.  I've created a vegetable soup that we have had once a week now for about four weeks.  I've also made the vegan stew from Simple Daily Recipes.  of course I tweak it a bit but it is hearty and delicious.  I've yet to cook beans, mainly because I can't believe I don't have to soak them first.  I will try one day though.

I still feel pretty good overall, however, I did have a few days last week where I got minimal sleep due to chores (uniform has to be washed when we get home each night around 10p.m.)  and homework assistance.  Sleep makes such a huge difference in the pain level of this sufferer of FM.

I will join a challenge on October first to cut out all process food and oil and just eat whole plant based. I need such a challenge.  It may be difficult or it may not but I am committed to doing it. Curses Halloween candy.

First Instant Pot Trial

Although I've had my I- pot for a week now, I've just made my first meal in it. The recipe for this vegan, no oil stew was found on Simple Daily Recipes.  I didn't use the faux meat though as I prefer my food not to look like meat.  I tweaked other things to my tastes and adjusted spices including omitting salt. The family loved it. The liquid smoke gave it depth and authenticity as a stew. I felt that the broth was delicious although somewhat thin for a stew. I will play with this in the future to try to achieve thicker consistency.  Delicious.

It has taken me a week to start using this amazing appliance due to hurting my wrist last Friday. I currently do not have use of my left arm below the elbow.  No definitive answers from the ER on Saturday and with very little improvement with pain or mobility, I plan to see a doctor again tomorrow. Treating the pain is one thing, but I really want to know what is causing the pain and address that.

The steroids definitely mess with body weight and I'm thankful that the pharmacist mentioned that or I'd be freaking out right now. The high dose is making my heart beat wildly so I will not take anymore. The force of it was so strong that I could see my hand on my chest go up and down to the rhythm.  Scary stuff.

I am hoping tomorrow brings some answers regarding my injury and subsiding side effects from Prednisone.  I'm a terrible couch potato and just want to get back on track with all I need to do.

Decluttered Body; Decluttered Home

Four Weeks. That is how much time I have until school starts.  This is important because for four weeks I have a certain amount of freedom I will not have for another 10 months.  Granted, I will have some small chunks of time to devote to my choice of activities but for four weeks I will have great chunks of time.  Boy, do I have some goals.

I have been working at eliminating all animal products from my diet since April 2, 2017.  I have reduced 15 pounds off of my body so far.  It feels great to declutter my physical body.  I feel much better and am working on getting completely back on track to a WFPB diet and cutting out the processed food that I added in over the past 6 weeks.  

Another area that I have been working on for the last seven years is decluttering my house.  (Is there a body/house connection here?) Oh before children it was not very hard to keep everything neat, tidy, and more toward a minimalist style.  Oh, but children change everything.  They need stuff.  They want stuff.  They keep stuff.  I keep stuff for them.  I keep important stuff.  I keep nostalgic stuff.  I need stuff.  I want stuff.  I own more stuff then I've ever owned before.  Time to evaluate my stuff.

Now, I do constantly get rid of stuff and always have a donation bag or two in the works.  I have had a few focused efforts of purging stuff and have tackled my clothes closet on more than one occasion.  It does desperately need it again, though.  

About three months ago, I purged the linen/personal care closet.  Two months ago, I purged a couple of kitchen cabinets and my make-up drawer.  A bit more than a month ago, I purged my cookbooks.  

Still, I have too much stuff everywhere.  Pretty things, neat things, interesting things, all join necessities and useless things alike.  At this age and stage in my life, I long for calm.  Think flat spaces with little on them.  Shelves with only a few special items needing dusting.  Closets that are easy to put things away in, simply because there is space and a place.  

So I have a dual focus for the next four weeks.  Purge the junk from my dieta and purge junk from my home.  Junk that I don't want in my diet is anything that is not a fruit, vegetable, whole grain, legume, or seeds and nuts.  Junk that I don't want in my house is anything that doesn't fit, is not used, is not usable, or that does not bring joy when encountering it.  Sounds easy enough.  I know better.  If it was easy we'd all have done it already.  I found this article inspiring today: 18 Five-Minute Decluttering Tips to Start Conquering Your Mess. I am ready.  Let's see what I can accomplish in four weeks.

First picture: taken right this minute: 3:05 p.m.: my desktop computer area before:

After:  3:54 p.m.

 It did not take me 49 minutes to do this.  There was a bathroom break, phone call, a trip to another level for a duster, etc.  It actually probably took about 10 minutes.  Small task and focused effort =accomplishment.  Now, time to make a focused effort to eat an apple.

Thankful Vacations are Over

Vacations throw me off in every way.  My few but simple routines matter to me and yet they are so hard to keep on vacation.  I had two ten day vacations, two weeks apart.  My brain is just starting to get back in the groove.

I held steady on my weight with a total of fifteen pounds gone since April.  I ate way too much processed snacks and just don't feel as good as I did before.  Today was really my first day getting back in the groove and I feel better already. I did take/buy veggies and grains with us and did cook on vacation and use them, however, I also ate some snacky foods and sweets that I didn't really need.  I was actually surprised that I did not have a big gain.

I cleaned out my fridge before I left so now I need to go shopping tomorrow and stock up.  I literally have no fresh fruit in the house which is very unusual.  Aldi's, here I come.  I was able to harvest some cucumbers out of the garden so that has given me something fresh for today.  A few tomatoes are almost ripe but need another day or two.

I'm still loving this lifestyle.  I need to get into WFPB cooking a bit more but cooking and summer don't really go together.  I did make some polenta today at the request of my daughter.  I made a version of a 'ragout' to eat over it.  It was enjoyed by all.

It is time for me to start spending a bit more time in the house getting some projects done and organizing some areas I have been ignoring.  Not as much fun as gardening, in my opinion, but it has to get done.  I did unpack my suitcase, groceries that came back, and caught up with the watering today.

 The gardens looked good and am grateful to my son for taking care of them while I was gone.  Nice to come home to everything green in this 95+ degree weather.  Disappointed to find that raccoons ate three of my fish... for a total of 6 this summer.  I have three left and not sure if I will get anymore until I find a solution for the coons. Anyone have a suggestion?

I ordered an Instant Pot today.  I had seen a different brand of electric pressure cooker at Nebraska Furniture Mart over the weekend but talked myself out of putting out $90 for an unfamiliar brand as the reviews are best for the actual Instant Pot brand.  Well, today I happened to find a $10 off coupon for Kohl's home goods in an email so I looked on their website.  They had the IP-DUO60 7 way pot for $99. I combined the $10 off with my 30% off coupon and ended up at $68.09 with tax.  It is waiting to be picked up at a nearby Kohl's store.  Patience paid off and God provided.  

Holding Steady

I am holding steady the last two weeks.  No gain, no loss.  I have not been sleeping well due to family things going on the last two weeks and I find myself munching for energy.  Some of those items have been on the processed side like potato chips and pretzels.  I also feel like I've eaten more fats overall and had some salt water taffy.  It is so much easier if I just don't bring such things in the house.. 

I still feel like all of my clothes are looser including my bras. All of my pants and shorts are loose and have to be worn with a belt.  It is a great feeling to know when you pull something out of the closet, it will fit or even be loose.  

I have been really overworking in the gardens and feel like I have a lot of inflammation as my muscles are very sore.  I know better, but this time of year weather dictates planting time.  I am also working on expanding the gardens and the tiller can really be a workout in itself.  This season will pass so I am able to push through it.

Here are some photos of the kinds of things we eat.  Our college student is home and adapting well to our WFPB way of eating.  The whole family is enjoying veggie burgers potatoes a variety of ways.  I haven't started following a lot of recipes yet but it is in the future.  Right now simple is better.  

Scale Keeps Moving Lower on WFPB Diet

This morning marks the end of my fifth week eating WFPB.  I've basically been eating a high-carb low-fat diet without animal products.  My reward for eating carbs, not counting calories, and not being perfect: a 12 pound weight loss in five weeks.  In addition, I have lots more energy, less muscle soreness, improved blood pressure, and I don't feel like I'm on a diet.  Plus, It is the best diet for the environment and it makes me super happy.

There has also been some residual affects.  My husband, whose blood pressure was worse than mine on the day I came home from the first doctor's appointment, went to the doctor this past week.  His blood pressure had come down from 166/107 to 146/86.  He is not eating just a WFPB diet.  He eats lunch meat sandwiches for lunch.  If we go out, he eats meat.  However, he is evidently benefiting from all of the meals at home that I make which are WFPB. We grilled Boca veggie burgers for supper and he commented that they were better than beef.  We have been eating them for almost a year and the All American Grillers are our favorite.

The energy I have gained from this way of eating is wonderful.  I have been able to accomplish so much more these last few weeks without migraines or debilitating fatigue.  I had some things to create for a party and in the past the stress of finding time to do that would have brought on some migraines.  This time, no problem getting things ready and even had additional items added on at the last minute.

What I really want now is for everyone to become informed about this way of eating.  I can imagine how much pain, discomfort, and money could be saved if people would give WFPB eating a try.  The online resources for meal ideas are great for those just stepping in to this way of eating.  I have always cooked so transitioning to meatless meals was easy, but I still like seeing what others are making and new combinations of ingredients.

I was able to share a bit of my short story and success this weekend with a few family members.  I seriously hope that I was able to get them a bit excited about it through my words and my appearance.  You never really know if the seeds you plant will grow.

By the way, I wore my new size 14 jeans to the party.  So very excited about going down a size. Today, I took 4 items from my closet to donate.  I definitely see more of that activity in my future.

Nostalgic Recipe Purge After WFPB Transition

I have spent time over the last month going through the desk and kitchen and gathering a huge pile, about 8 inches tall, of recipes from magazines, printed from online resources, and from friends.  This stormy Saturday seemed like the perfect opportunity to purge the pile of those recipes that didn't support my new WFPB way of eating. I figured I could breeze through the whole pile in about 20-30 minutes.  I was wrong.

I didn't expect nostalgia to hit.  Oh, remember this Chicken Enchilada Casserole I made for several potlucks at school? Everyone loved it.  What about this stuffed cabbage recipe that reminds me so much of the ones my mom made during my youth?  There's that carrot cake recipe I wanted to try.

I have always cooked but didn't realize how much my recipes meant to me.  So over one and a half hours later, I am through the stack and more than half did end up in the recycle pile.  I did keep many stir-fry recipes that called for meat just because I wanted the sauce part of the recipes.  Stir-fries are one of my favorite things to make and eat and I like variety in my sauces.  After I try them and write the sauce part down, I will recycle them.

I kept a couple dessert recipes that can be adapted without eggs and oil.  I found some good recipes from Vegetarian Times.  Sadly they no longer have a printed magazine.  Online is a good resource but there is something about a magazine, a cup of tea, and birds chirping in the garden.

All of the ones I kept are now in a file folder waiting to be tried, then transferred into my recipe boxes.  The boxes themselves have not been purged.  That is for another time.

I also gathered up several diet books that I know I will no longer use.  I can't picture myself ever using/needing them again.

I still have many cookbooks to go through.  That will be hard also as I love books of any kind. It is a necessary process, however, in order to really make a permanent change.  It is sort of like donating the clothing that becomes too big as you lose weight.  Ahhh, that will be another thing I will have to purge and hopefully soon.

So Many Positives Including another 1.4 Pounds Lost

I continue to gain positives from this WFPB lifestyle and lose pounds.  I'm down another 1.4 this week and my pants are feeling pretty loose.  Haven't felt this good in a long time.  What makes the difference?

I like this way of eating so much and have given up the diet mentality.  In the past, I always had anxiety about any 'diet' I tried.  Would the scale show a loss?  Could I get through another day of it? Would I gain weight back after I was 'off' the diet?  How was I going to eat when the diet was over?

As I mentioned in another post, I had used the Atkin's plan to lose about 20 pounds years ago.  The whole two months I ate the low-carb meat-based diet, I knew I could not eat that way forever.  I tend toward eating plant based foods.  I never ate meat every day, let alone every meal like the Atkin's plan recommended.  Of course, when I did get off the plan due to a move across country, I did regain the weight eventually.  Not immediately of course but certainly within the next year.

The WFPB way of eating is different.  I like this way of eating.  I like knowing I can eat when I am hungry and not be limited to 1/2 cup of something.  I feel good eating this way.  My energy is much improved along with other positives that I've mentioned in a previous post.

I feel calmer about eating this way.  There is no anxiety about going off this diet because to me it is not a diet, it is the way I eat now.  I feel slimmer everyday.  So far the scale has shown weight loss each week, but even if it didn't, I feel thinner.  My thighs feel thinner and my pants are looser.

I went in Kohl's today because I had some 'free' money I had earned and thought I might pick up a pair of pants in turquoise if they had them to go with a shirt I want to wear to an event next week.  I looked for my regular size 16 and saw a 14.  I held it up to my body and thought, "What the heck, I'll try it on."  When I went in the dressing room, I asked my daughter to go back and grab the 16 just in case.  Since I was already taking my jeans off, I might as well have the bigger size ready.

The size 14 pants fit and the 16 size went back on the shelf.  I really can't remember when I wore a size 14 since the Atkins trial.  So in 26 days, I have lost a total of 10.4 pounds.  Realistically, I know it won't always be this easy but for now I am enjoying all of the changes and positives this WFPB way of living is bringing me.

One of my dishes this week was spaghetti, Yes, Barilla, non-GMO thin spaghetti.  About 2 cups with an organic vegetable sauce to which I added sauteed onions, peppers, and mushrooms. I even had one slice of bread with garlic, no butter.  I also had leftover spaghetti (about 2 cups) twice this past week.  Once with sauce and once with hummus.  Delicious and I still lost weight.

I have been trying to walk a minimum of 8,000 steps each day.  Some days it's less but most I meet or exceed goal.  The last few days I haven't kept track due to the fact that I have poison ivy on both arms so I can't wear the Fitbit.  I work in the garden most days; weeding, planting, moving pots, hoeing, etc.  This of course is seasonal and this is the season.  I did work out on the elliptical machine one day last week as it rained for 3 days and I was feeling lazy.

If you are on the fence about eating WFPB, I would encourage you to give it a try.  Join a FB group, read Dr. McDougall's free information on his website.  There are even YouTube videos that support this way of eating. It will be good for you, good for the animals, and good for the planet.  It's a win-win I can live with.

Enjoying WFPB/Starch Solution Weightloss and More

To say that I am pleased seems to be an understatement.  I have been eating the WFPB/Starch Solution way since April 2nd.  Nineteen days and nine pounds gone.  Those are real pounds.  I have been drinking lots of water each day and have not put any back on.  I have not been perfect.  Some Belgian Easter cookies found their way into my cart the other day and I ate several of them.  That was just my major blunder this week.  I was tempted by a Scor bar in the store today but resisted.

How I feel is just as important as the weight loss.  Energy up to levels I can't remember. Sleeping better.  Less fibromyalgia pain.  I feel lighter and more flexible.  Current jeans zip very easily and are very loose a few hours later.  Another 10 pounds or less and I will try the next size down.  I feel calmer and clearer.  I don't feel deprived or that I am on a diet.  

I love eating this way.  It corresponds with my beliefs.  I am always working on removing hypocrisy from my life and this does that in the area of nutrition for me.  Blood pressure reading today: 121/79. I find my mood calmer and I am happier.  I always have something I can eat when I get hungry and it's food I enjoy.  

The first day I started I had a headache bordering on a migraine.  A week later, I had another headache that seemed like it was more from congestion.  A week later, swollen tonsils and an earache.  Seems like incremental detoxing to me.  Hopefully, the next weeks will not see any issues.

I keep meals simple. Here's an example:  Red and green lettuce, brown rice, black beans, homemade pico de gallo, roasted red peppers, green chile  So good; so simple.

I am ready to branch out a little and make some 'special' meals.  I plan to begin cooking every recipe in the Starch Solution.  Reading through them, they all seemed doable.  I like that they do not rely on a soy protein, seitan, or other fake foods or meat impostors.  I have been gathering ingredients and will sit down tomorrow to make a structured lists so I will have everything on hand for at least five of the recipes this week.  I'll posts pics and comments on the recipes when I prepare them.

I know each person has to find their own way of eating, exercising, and making self-improvements.  I feel I have found my way and WFPB is it.

Absolutely Loving Whole Foods Plant Based Results

Normally I'm not one to get too excited about diets.  Any of them work, at least for a while, if you follow them.  The problem is that I don't often like a plan well enough to follow it for more than a few days.  I did follow the Atkins diet for about 6 weeks back in 1998 and lost about twenty pounds, but I was nauseated most of the time. Also note that I had to have my gall bladder removed about 5 years later. In all honesty though, I'm very excited about following the Whole Foods Plant Based (WFPB) way of life.

As I've said in a previous post about a year ago, I decided to go back to being a vegetarian again after 17 years of having meat frequently in my diet.  I have had good results over the past year eating vegetarian.  I have less muscle pain from fibromyalgia, less frequent migraines, sleep a bit better although this area has been a struggle my whole life, and less digestive problems.  Fatigue, however, remained a significant problem.  After just a few hours being awake, I seriously could go back to sleep if given the chance.

On days when I was able to take a nap, it meant a 2-3 hour nap.  If I had less time then that, I wouldn't bother.  It was almost like being in a coma-like state.  I would become aware of things around me but could not bring myself to full consciousness.  I would feel better when I woke up but would be tired again a few hours later.  This seriously affected the quality of my life as I am most happy when doing something and accomplishing things I want/need to do.

I started eating WFPB on Sunday, April 2nd.  Since Monday, I have not needed a nap.  Yesterday evening, I walked about four miles on the golf course and my muscles were achy when I went to bed and I figured I would need a long nap today for muscle recovery.  It was a busy day and at about 5 p.m. I was able to finally think about a nap.  To my surprise, after less than an hour, I felt rested and ready to get up.  Wow!

In addition, I have quite a bit more energy than usual which is probably still less than "normal" people, but definitely a difference for me.  After five whole days of eating WFPB, I have lost a total of 8.4 pounds, four of which was definitely water weight.  I know this because on start day, April 2, I weighed four pounds more than 2 days previous and had eaten out both of the following days. Restaurant food is salt-ladened and I usually put on a few pounds after dining out.   Keep in mind that I only eat out 1-2 times per week and usually on Friday and/or Saturday.

My weigh-in showed a 5.5 pound weight loss since January 8th, and four of those pounds have been since March 8th which I can guarantee you came from this week as my scale is the same as theirs and I know I did not lose any before Sunday.

In addition to more energy, weight loss, and less nap time needed, I feel lighter, less full and overall so much better.  I'm so psyched as I think if 5 days makes me feel this good, what will a month, year, or lifetime do?  Psychologically, I feel so much better also because  how I am eating is a reflection of what I believe about food, medicine, illness, the environment, and stewardship over all God has given us.  Oh,yeah, my last blood pressure readings at the doctor's the last few days 131/84, and 119/74.  I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor for blood pressure in a week and a half and I can't wait as I know I'll have great pressures and even though I wouldn't take medicines anyway, we won't have to have that conversation.

Control is a Big Deal In Life and In Blood Pressure

I've been noticing lately how much the word control, and more often, the implied need for control comes up in conversations.  The frequency gives a hint that it is a big issue for a lot of people, me included.  So many things I (we) feel the need to control.  I came to the understanding a long time ago that if it has anything to do with other people, give it up.  We cannot control others.

On the other hand, there are many things I (we) can control about ourselves.  Our behavior, reactions, and what we put in our mouth come to mind.  Right now I have to work on all three.  A doctor visit last week revealed that my blood pressure was high.  Seven months ago, my visit to an ophthalmologist, it was not.  Hmmm.  Time to work on some control issues.

Thinking about what has been different or changed in that time was a necessity.  Stress level up and down as usual.  Activity level has been increasing, especially since December when I received my Fitbit Blaze.  Food intake has decreased as I have lost a few pounds since November.  However, I did realize that I have been eating a lot more salt than usual.

I have never been one for salty snacks.  I did not add salt to my food and only added it when I baked but not when I cooked.  I left it up to each person to salt to taste.  Sweets were more my craving, or so I thought.  In honesty, I have been eating much more salt than normal and it has been going on longer than I thought.  I blame the Himalayas.

About a year ago, I bought some pink Himalayan salt, in a grinder no less.  It is good salt.  I don't know why, but it just tastes better than the one proffered by the girl with the umbrella.  It even tastes better than the sea salt I purchase from the Amish.  It is wonderful on fresh tomatoes, boiled eggs, and tomato soup.  I feel that eating it has upped my salt tolerance and the 3-4 chips I normally would stop at, due to being too salty, became 10-12 chips.

Pretzels became a go to afternoon snack.  Since going mostly vegetarian about a year ago, eggs became a protein mainstay.  Himalayan pink salt on eggs, mmm.  Well no more.

Sunday I began the Rice Diet Solution.  It was created for lowering blood pressure.  I believe it will work and I feel it is already.  I am only speaking from day 3, however.  Of course the proof is in the measurements.  Having a blood pressure monitor at home has made it easy to track.

Sunday a.m.: 166/109  Monday a.m.: 142/93 Tuesday a.m. 124/91.  I must say that I am pleased and will keep on doing the Rice Diet Solution not only to lower blood pressure but I find it is a great basic plan for a plant-based diet.

I am thankful that blood pressure was the only thing off kilter.  All other blood work came back great and even my B12 levels were in normal range.  A little low on vitamin D but will supplement and retest in 12 weeks.  Not bad for someone in their 50's.

Final weigh in for the weight loss challenge will be Friday.  I'll let you know how I do.  Just in it to keep the numbers headed in the right direction and I am definitely doing that.  So bye-bye pink Himalayan salt.  I can handle it because you're almost out anyway.

Dancing and Moving with Alexa

An unexpected and wonderful gift from my husband waited for me this Christmas.  I unwrapped an Amazon Echo and Alexa.   It was quite easy to set up and use from the very first hour.  I am still learning  about what it/she can do and I imagine that process will be ongoing as Amazon continues to work with the product.

Playing music from Amazon Prime or iHeart radio is just one wonderful thing that Alexa can do. Right now, it is the thing I am enjoying the most.  I've forgotten how great it is having music accompany me throughout daily tasks.  Doing dishes, cooking supper, or homework time is much more enjoyable with some tunes playing in the background.

I really enjoy specifying an artist and can jump from Bob Seger, Josh Groban, or Van Halen to Chris Tomlin or Elvis Presley on a whim.   If you are a Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber, you can requests specific songs but I don't have that service at this time.  However, I have enjoyed being surprised by a selection I had forgotten about or even perhaps being exposed to something new.

Another great thing about music is the way it lures you, subconsciously, into moving.  Old Time Rock and Roll can have everyone up and moving with in the first few chords.  Lady in Red gives rise to an impromptu slow dance with my spouse and my teenager and I pause between math problems to belt out songs from The Little Mermaid.   Of course when no one is looking, I can really get to moving to some of my 80's favorites.

Alexa does practical, time saving things also like giving me the local weather report, setting a timer for the dish I just put in the oven, and telling me the Spanish word of the day.  I look forward to discovering new things as time goes.  Alexa doesn't know everything,  however.  There was supposed to be a great meteor shower in January, but Alexa was unable to tell me what the peak time was or which direction to look in the sky.  Guess she's still learning also.

I do credit this device with helping me reach my step goal each day.  The small increase in heart rate and calories burned will add up over time, hopefully.  The only thing I want to change right now is the ability to rename the device and pick a voice.  I'd go with an Scottish or Australian accent and name it Carson.

Darn Migraine

Yesterday I faced an afternoon migraine which pretty much halted my life as it always does.  I survived it without medicine which I am glad of.  My migraines are often brought about by too long of a period between meals.  Seven hours between breakfast and lunch certainly did it.  It wasn't planned but it is just how it happened.  Spent the afternoon and evening in pain, nauseated and throwing up.  So basically, none, or rather, very little of my plan got integrated in my life.

However, today was a new day.  I registered for a 3 month weightloss competition which will be measured by body fat percentage decrease.  I did a 35 minute treadmill workout. Worked on my to do list successfully and am very close to finishing my step goal which I Will complete today. Tomorrow I will be on RS meal plan.  That didn't work today due to not feeling quite 100% and ate what I felt I could stomach.  Not bad, just not structured.

Less television and more reading is also something I am working on.  Although I lean toward documentaries and educational shows, I still feel that television is a time thief.  Reading can be too but it is easier to shut a book after a reasonable amount of time.  I am currently reading Peter Walsh, It's All Too Much.  No I'm not a hoarder, other than the previous craft room mentioned, but I do know a few and the psychology of it all intrigues me.  It is my current phase of interest.  Last year I read a great deal about nutrition, food production, and health.  Forks Over Knives and the The China Study were part of that group of books.

I have a Nook, have the Kindle App, and of course the internet for resources.  However, I am a bit old fashioned as nothing beats a interesting book and a cup of tea with my feet up either in a cozy spot inside or outside in a hammock or chaise, weather permitting.  There is something about the feel of a book or magazine in addition to the act of turning pages that completes the experience.

I don't think I will read much tonight as it feels like that headache is just waiting for a reason to com back.  The instruction book to assembly the inversion table I purchased was enough focus and vision demands for today.  A cup of tea would be nice and so I will add another flight of stairs to my tally and go up and make a nice warm mug of chammomile.

The Momentum of Newness

New Year, new start, new goals, new me.  Beginnings are always exciting and teaching gave me two official new beginnings each year.  The traditional New Year was a time to start again and so was the new school year.  Things could be fresher, brighter, different, and better.

It is great to have these official new beginnings as we can share the commitment and excitement with others.  Really though, we can have new beginnings  anytime we choose such as any first of the month, first of the week, or even every morning.  In order to really get the feel of any new beginning we have to do the head work.

The head work involves setting intentions.  Actually saying what we're going to do; to have a plan.  Otherwise we just continue in our comfort zone and keep repeating the same behaviors.  We also have to work the plan or we will experience no success and end up giving up on the quest for fresher, brighter, different, and better.

New Year: New You.  Blah!! New Year: New Plan: New You!  Doable!  My plan specifically is to specifically tackle my environment, and my health.  My plan:  Donate at least one large black trash bag of stuff each month, complete the weekly tasks/zones from Flylady.net, complete 5 out of 7 things on my daily todo list, Walk a minimum of 8,000 steps per day, formally exercise 30 minutes at least 3 days per week, and stick to the Shred Revolution plan at least 4 out of 7 days.

I've completed my preparation steps.  I have plenty of trash bags and designated spot for collecting "stuff". I am signed up for the Flylady emails.  I have to do list/calendar paper.  A received a Fitbit from my husband for Christmas.  I have an elliptical machine and an assortment of exercise DVDs.  I have the Shred Revolution book and worked the plan for a couple weeks before the holidays began in November to become familiar with it and even lost a few pounds.

I will put in updates on all of this as I blog throughout this year.  So my action plan for my new beginning is ready and I am ready for action.  Oh, yeah, I have decided that my new beginning will start anew each day.  Lamentations 3:22-23; The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.