Let them eat cake!!

For those of you who saw the picture of my baking spree on facebook and were concerned, I just wanted to assure you that I have made it through unscathed. Actually, there were two chocolate cakes and they both went in the freezer, as did most of the bread. Now I know that I said this blog was not going to be a record of what I eat. But, for the record, I have to tell you that the bread is my special whole wheat, high protein, high fiber bread and yes, it is yummy. It starts with quinoa and legumes (both cooked) and seasoned to taste and ends with  pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. In between are honey, olive oil, wheat flax and 3 kinds of flour. It freezers beautifully and you can pop a loaf in the oven to heat up and impress your friends.  So, my thought for today....don't give up doing what you enjoy (or eating what you enjoy!)  This is a life journey.  Just don't eat the whole darn cake.

Bacon....the total commitment

Day 17 underway So, a chicken and a pig were discussing what to make for breakfast (OK, come on play with me for a minute). The chicken says "It's obvious we should make eggs and bacon" However, the pig hesitated and begged for more time to consider other options. Frustrated, the chicken demanded an answer. After a moment the pig responded "Well, it's easy for you because you can just contribute. But, I have to be totally committed!" I thought about this scenario last night at Sweet Adelines when a fellow chorus member asked me how the Freshman 15 was going. I've opened myself up to observation. Am I just contributing or am I totally committed? I have a friend who collects pigs and I always thought it was funny. Today, I wish I had one sitting in my kitchen window as a reminder that this isn't a phase. It's a total commitment.

Yoda baby I need you

Day 15 My life mantra has always been "there is no try. Do or do not!" I owe it all to Yoda. It's how I raised my kids. It's what I tell my students. So....I have to ask myself, why am I not applying it to my own life. Point in chief: I woke up this morning thinking "how much longer do I have to do this?" And, ofcourse "this" is to eat healthy and to eat with awareness. It's like a re-dawning everyday. Why it continues to come as a surprise to me when I hear my own voice say "this is for the rest of your life" is beyond me. OK, fine, it is only Day 15 and so it's not a habit yet. But somewhere not to recessed in my mind is this prevailing thought that this is only a phase that will soon be over. Then, I can go back to my wanton ways. So, Yoda, turn up the volumne. I need to hear you say "This is your life. Do or do not."

Treating myself

Day 13 When I went to the grocery store today, I decided I desesrved a treat. I walked up and down the candy aisle, the cookie aisle, the potato chip aisle (you get the picture) and finally settled on: black forest cake, boston cream pie and peach cobbler. OK, so it was Yoplait Lite yogurt and I sound like a commercial. But, I just want to say that I came home feeling better about myself for making that decision. That's it for today. Small victories making a difference.

Where the #$* is my PMA

Day 12 I'm on my second cup of coffee and my positive mental attitude has not kicked in. Could be a variety of reasons but here's some of the symptoms: 1. Not eating for 2 weeks to lose 10 pounds sounds like a good idea 2. Jogging for 51 hours to lose 10 pounds sounds like a poor to fair idea but still an idea. 3. Eating a stack of banana granola pancakes smoothered in butter and syrup sounds like the best idea of all. So, once again, I'll remind myself that this is a journey. The scales say I'm down 1.5 pounds. That's good! I do feel better (see the positive self talk going on?) Perhaps I'll have a third cup of coffee and the pancake urge will subside. Then, I can go in and scramble a couple eggs with zucchini and tomatoes (oh and some feta cheese and salsa)....yes, yes!! I'm starting to smile...slowly....but it's coming.

Subtle differences

Day 10 Maybe I'm crazy, but I am already noticing subtle differences. I feel healthier which should not be surprising. But my sense of taste and smell are heightened. Now what's up with that? I ate a bite of homemade spaghetti sauce (and expected it to taste good) but it was amazing. The lime in my diet 7-Up just burst with flavor. So, one must ask "How are you going to put this new-found sense of taste to good use?" I'll become a professional wine taster. Perhaps I will finally understand what they are talking about when they claim the flavors just burst forth in your mouth....the slight tang of the oak, the essence of the grape. Well, you get the picture. Anyway, that probably won't happen, but right now, I am just being amazed by my palate and enjoying every bite.

Discipline is not a 4 letter word

Day 9

I've been focusing so much on awareness that I was totally caught off-guard when my daughter/trainer told me I needed to add discipline.  Makes perfect sense though.  You can be aware that you are eating all those chocolate chip cookies and still not have the discipline to say "STOP ALREADY!"  This probably applies to all of us, but I know I have been guilty of waiting for the perfect time to start eating healthy, with awareness and with discipline.  Well, fact is, today is the perfect time, whether you are on vacation, recovering from an illness/surgery, overcome by depression (you get the picture?)
 So my plan for today when I finally snuggle down in my bed is to have the satisfaction of knowing I was aware of what I ate and exercised discipline in the portion and the pour (yes, I have a bottle of wine chilling).