Whole 30: Days 7-9

     I've hit the "I'm not hungry" point, I believe because I'm simply bored with all the W30-compliant foods I have around the house, of which there truly is quite a variety. My food addiction is rearing its ugly head in the form of "this or that would be way more fun to eat." W30 talks about craving vs. hunger, asking "Am I hungry enough to eat ________ (something dull like steamed fish and brussels spouts)?" If my answer is no, it's not hunger, it's a craving. Craving it is. Reminder to self: cravings and boredom won't kill me.
     There was a great quote by Hesiod in my daily reading: "If you add a little to a little, and then do it again, soon that little shall be much." One meal at a time...
    Day 7: B: macadamia nuts, HFVJ
                L: guacamole, veggies, almond butter on celery sticks
                D: ground beef sauted w asst'd veggies & potato, in tomato sauce, cherries
    Day 8: B: 3 eggs/ghee, HFVJ
                L: macadamia nuts, berries
                D: chicken/veggie/cashew stir fry w Sunshine Sauce (W30 recipe)
    Day 9: B: sweet potato/ghee, HFVJ
                L: veggie/olive salad, apple w cashew butter
                D: ground beef sauted w asst'd veggies & potato, in tomato sauce

    Key points: I am sleeping much better. Night sweats are lessening, and I've not had the nights with a couple hours lying awake which I had often before starting W30. I did, as anticipated from reading the W30 book, have my first food dream, this one about pigging out on a donut (which I rarely eat anyway!). Freaked me out till I became conscious!
    Also, I have almost NO hip ache anymore, which is outstanding. The chronic hip ache was one of my main motivators in doing W30--while chiropractic and massage were improving it, I believe there is a food-related component (inflammation), and that appears to be the case. No doubt more shall be revealed. And I'm finding that my skin doesn't look or feel as dry.
     I am blessed to have a great group of friends who have agreed to support me on this adventure. I am grateful!
     On to Day 10...
         Leta

Whole 30: Days 4-6

     So far, so good. Black coffee is really OK. (For background, read the blog entry for Days 1-3.)
     I received The Whole 30 book on the 4th day and it has been invaluable, even though I'm only 40-some pages in. Loads of support and information. (Thanks to my good friend and Whole 30 veteran, Sonya, who answered my text question regarding an ingredient while I was still at the store!)

Day 4: B: 2 eggs/ghee, HFVJ
            L: salad (veg/berries/nuts), applesauce-based dressing, celery w/ cashew butter
            D: chicken salad, sweet potato/ghee, cherries
Day 5: B: Raw cashews, HFVJ
            L: 2 eggs, 1/3# burger, 1/2 avacado, bit of onion
            D: Chicken in tomato sauce, sweet potato/ghee, cherries
Day 6: B: Raw macadamia nuts, HFVJ
            L: Salad (veg/half avacado/berries/cashews)
            D: Chicken salad, sweet potato/ghee, cherries

     Key points: I know about myself that being truly hungry freaks me out on a very deep level. I experienced this the morning of Day 4 before I could eat. Even to the point of sweating profusely. All is well now. I'm finding it's important to keep myself busy so I don't sit around and think about what I'm NOT eating. I played golf on Sunday to get myself out of the house. I do sometimes feel totally worn out, but it passes. There's a great section in The Whole 30 about meal planning, and I'm now doing that several days ahead, which greatly helps with the potential hunger-freakage. Overall I feel good, and I feel good about doing this for my body and spirit.
     I've not been a pop drinker for many years, maybe have a couple root beers a year. I've been a fan of seltzer water for a long time, so I'm glad that's an approved drink.
     Regarding hot flashes/night sweats, they are back, the jury is still out on that. I think my whole body is in a state of "what the hell!??!" and is adjusting beautifully, though maybe not comfortably for me.
     Onward, Day 7.
            Leta

A Compulsive Eater does Whole 30: Days 1-3

     I am using the month of June to follow the Whole 30 eating plan. For each 3-day period, I am going to post a blog, 1) to keep myself on plan and accountable, and 2) so that I have a record of what took place & what I ate, along with assorted points of interest. For instance, nearly all canned tuna has soy in it too. I am also a food addict, which makes this "coming extra-clean" even more challenging for me. I have ordered the Whole 30 book, but I'm starting out with website basic info as I don't have the book yet.

     Day 1: breakfast: 2 eggs/ghee, HFVJ (home-made fruit veg juice)
                lunch: guacamole, veggies, cherries, mixed raw nuts
                dinner: chicken salad, sweet potato/ghee, seltzer water
     Day 2: breakfast: 2 eggs/ghee, HFVJ
                lunch: salad (veg/fruit/nuts), homemade dressing made w applesauce
                dinner: chicken salad, sweet potato/ghee, seltzer water, cherries
     Day 3: B: 1 hard-boiled egg, mixed raw nuts, HFVJ
                L: asparagus, sweet potato/ghee, a few nuts
                D: tuna salad, avacado, cherries, a few nuts, seltzer water

     Key points: I can live with black coffee, but I miss my organic cream. I cannot, however, live without coffee. So far, I haven't been really hungry between meals, thank goodness. I have been very prone to hot flashes that wake me up in the night with major sweating. The first night I had four, the second night I had one, the third night I had none! That alone is worth the effort!! Day 3 was a Friday, when I usually look forward to a sweet treat and evening beer. So it was challenging not to have those. Shopping for approved foods has been challenging... every pkg of bacon I looked at, checking several stores, even uncured bacon, has sugar in it. It's kind of depressing how "unclean" most food in some sort of packaging is.
     Onward, Day 4, to the Farmers Market.
         Leta

It's SO worth the effort!

     Today's quote is from Louise Hay: "Cluttered closets mean a cluttered mind. As you clean the closet, say to yourself, 'I am cleaning out the closets of my mind.'"
     I doubt that many of us wake up some morning and, with joyous delight, say, "Today I'm going to clean my closet!" Or some other area that has become cluttered with oh-so-important stuff. We generally don't realize the drag on our spirits that clutter (even "organized" clutter) creates, until it overwhelms us and inspires action. Then the clearing of clutter feels so good.
     I know someone who has made it his mission to get rid of one thing every day. Even as I look around the room I am sitting in, I could easily do that. I'm sure I could do it in every room in this house.
     Not only do we get "weighed down" by clutter, it serves as a blockade preventing other good from entering our lives. Getting rid of clutter keeps the circulation of good moving. You need only go to estate or garage sales to know that one person's castoff is another's treasure.
     Do you really need that _______? Set it free and feel the energy move within you.
     Off to release something,
            Leta

I love my life.

     I was on a group phone call recently with friends, and the statement "I love my life" was brought up as a topic of conversation. Specifically, the question was raised whether we could state that phrase and truly mean it.
     It was easy for me. I have been saying "I love my life" with great conviction for years. I use that phrase pretty much every morning in my prayers. Saying I love my life simply brings me more to love.
     What does it mean to me to love my life? It certainly doesn't mean everything is swimmingly perfect all the time. In general I am mostly joyful, but I do experience the full range of emotions, and I am grateful for that. I have wonderful people in my life who are loving and supportive. My life is abundant to the fullest extent of that term, not just speaking of money. I love baseball! I love the varied work I do, and I especially love the freedom and flexibility I have to travel. I get to teach and practice yoga and expand my spiritual nature. I enjoy being on Playground Earth at this time. I am comfortable in my own skin.
     But then there's house-cleaning, laundry, inattentive drivers, cancelled flights, flat tires, colds and viruses, poor customer service, broken appliances... myriad potential annoyances. They, too, are a part of the life I love, because I'm grateful that I have the strength, resiliency and resources to deal with them.
     Do you love your life?
              Leta

Unexpected Treasures

     I love it when Nature/God/The Universe (whatever you care to name the whole and holy life energy of which we are a part) gives me a treasure. Actually, the treasures are flowing my way continuously, so I guess I'm really talking about when I notice them and allow them to delight me.
     This morning I drove to Sedgwick County Park to walk, just for a change of scenery. I am strengthening my legs for longer distance walking due to upcoming travel, so I want to figure out some longer routes than my neighborhood streets offer.
     I was walking around one of the ponds at the park and came along two families of geese, one with two babies and the other with six. I'm not generally really fond of geese (droppings, a nasty encounter on the golf course), but the goslings are fluffy fur-balls and quite cute little treasures.
     There was also a stiff breeze from the south, which served to cool me off. Some may refer to that as our annoying "Kansas wind," but it was a treat for me this morning.
     Look about, pay attention, notice the treasures, allow yourself to be delighted. It makes life ever so much more fun!
                Leta

Create a Pot of Flowers

     It's May Day, spring, the perfect time to create a pot of flowers.
     Research studies are looking into the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, and the effects are not good. (I can give you additional info if you'd like.) So get up and move, do something, like buy a pot, potting soil and flowers and create a lovely flowering display for your porch or deck. Or, even better, deliver it to someone as a surprise.
     Planting my flower pots is one of my favorite springtime activities. I roamed quite a bit yesterday among several garden stores. I couldn't find my "usual" flowers, inspiring me to do some different combinations (see previous post on "Do One Thing Differently Today"). I also bought some glow-in-the-dark spray paint to try it on a pot or two and see how that works. Goofy fun.
     A pot of flowers is a joy all summer, plus you get up and move to water it. You may even find a new hobby, and who knows on what adventures that will lead you!?!
     Happy planting,
        Leta