[Illinoispainter]

MonicaC, on 09 January 2012 - 05:29 PM, said:

Hi Linda and Sarah, thanks for checking in. It helps to push forward with water intake goals knowing that we are doing it together. Today I did thus far, 16 oz of water with 3 tsp. of Braggs apple cider vinegar. Then waited a bit for breakfast and didn't seem like oatmeal was going to do it today so made a blender full of 1 orange, 1/2 large apple, 1 inch minced up fresh ginger and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil which is pretty solid looking and 1 cup of water and it tasted pretty good. It feels quite light on my stomach. The coconut oil did not fully dissolve but enough to enjoy a bit of coconut flavor in drink. Feel connected to this quote by Rainer Maria Rilke, "Be patient toward that is unsolved in your heart and learn to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not seek the answer, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them." I feel like a student in a lab however the lab is my body. It feels out of sorts at times depending on certain things I eat, times of the month, how I feel from what I thoughts I think, what I have to deal with in the day. I am experimenting today with a new breakfast and seeing how I feel this morning. Will be trying to find out better what foods work well and what doesn't. This requires me to be more deliberate in my selection and in my journaling and checking in with myself after each meal 1 hr and 2 hrs to see how I feel physically. Want to add some joy and creativity into this journey. So taking a cue from Julia Cameron concerning boredom, getting sloppy with my program, I am going to make 5 hearts in my journal and put something that will make me happy today and check that off as I go today. Do 5x 10 minute fun activities to give your day a boost. Please share any things you find fun and is quick to do so we can grow this list. Here are mine. #1. play with the pup. #2. sing a song with the radio #3draw a doodle colorful pens #4 write a note to a bday friend and mail it #5. walk in the sunshine. Off I go to walk the pup in the sunshine. Love and Light.

Great idea, Monica! My five would be #1--looking at seed catalogs and dreaming of spring. #2--Enjoying a short walk with the cocker spaniel this morning and seeing frost everywhere and a full moon on the horizon. #3--Starting a new crochet project. #4--Doing a quick declutter in a messy area (Where to start, where to start). #5--Starting a new watercolor. I feel better just thinking about those things.
Linda

[karolinakat]

Great idea! My five would be #1--crossword puzzles online boatloadpuzzles.com. #2--looking at an exotic vacation spot. #3--do something creative at work. #4--practice for my language class. #5--short walk on a break if the rain stops.

[MonicaC]

Good morning dear rice buddies. Today is a rainy day. Jumping out of my slumber began my Julia Cameron stream of just writing thoughts down. I am going to see how simple I can be with my food. Just simple ingredients and see how it goes.
I ate bread yesterday and was tired afterwards. I have known this for myself quite a long time to not get tempted by the bread as it leads me to weight gain but I have never met a grilled cheese sandwich that I didn't like and to add insult to injury I drank two glasses of regular coke. I was out to this diner with friends and that is what I did. What can I say. It is a familiar combo of white bread, cheese. So fell on my face with my food choices yesterday. Trying to do better today.

[Sarah1466]

I can understand that Monica! There are certain foods that all I have to do is think about them and I start to salivate (I'm doing it right now!)
IT wasn't a year, it was a meal. Back on track today!
Sarah

[MonicaC]

Thanks Sarah for the words of encouragement. I must say I tried a wonderful mashed potato alternative made with orange cauliflower steamed, garlic roasted and rosemary minced in with a bit of broth or some butter it was quite delicious. Cauliflower has good texture pureed and carries flavor well. There is a great recipe on epicurious website. Nice to find a good substitute for a high cal favorite of mashed potatoes for the wintertime. I love the lightness of the cauliflower puree, served it with scallops and red quinoa. It's quite snowy here so staying indoors as it is quite cold. The pup still loves to go out in the cold. She has got that collie fur so she is quite equipped to handle cold weather walk. Hope everyone has a very happy Saturday. Love and light.

[MonicaC]

Decided to throw a little art class in my morning so need some pretty colors and get creative as I look out and see a very cold winter scene outside.

[MonicaC]

This morning started my day off with 4 glasses of water and some apple cider vinegar. I get hungry at about 11am so had a early lunch of a salad with avocado/tomatoes/shallots/romaine lettuce and 1 ounce of raw goat cheese with two ezkiel bread slices and my favorite earl grey tea. I am trying to listen to my body this morning did not feel like anything sweet so came up with this for my meal. I guess we don't have to be tied to eating certain foods at only specific time. It is a very overcast day and so hoping that the day turns out nicer so I can take the pup out for a walk. She is always eager to get out regardless of the weather. I love her enthusiasm for walking gets me out the door too. Saw money ball the other day and liked the movie quite a bit. The back drop is about baseball however the theme of following a strategy by statistics and trying a new strategy makes me think of what I have to do in my own life to achieve health. Trying different foods, different meals, different exercises, doing it and seeing what happens and for all the voices that say I am too old to change, it can't happen just prove them wrong. The joy of believing in this journey starts by visualizing it and to do that I like to write one improvement for each pound I have yet to lose. Off to do some happy visualizing journaling today. Love and Light.

[karolinakat]

Glad you are doing well, keep it up

[Sarah1466]

Hi Monica. Nothing really interesting or insightful to say, only wanted to say I was thinking of you.

[Cattrix]

I been thinking of you too Monica, for some odd reason I have associated you with avocados. Every time I open my fridgy and see my cute little avocados, looking at me.

Did you know that ohh shoot, what is his name. Tall, handsome, mustache, ok I'm going to have to go and look in my movie drawer, we just got a movie with him in it, HE grows avocados, or used to, has an avocado ranch. On the side of being an actor.

TOM Sellack, he grew avocados, or still does, where I do not know.
And the movie we jurst bought "Quigley Down Under" hhahaha
I'm a Font of information aren't I.
hehehe,.

I'm going to have to make me some guac. tonight for dinner. I can't chew. I had my teeth *deep* cleaned this morning. ow.

Hugs
Cat

[MonicaC]

Hello dear Sarah and Cattrix, thanks for making my day with your posts. I am so happy to hear from you both. I found a interesting website called www.earthclinic.com has lots of natural remedies. I have stated oil pulling. I put a tablespoon of coconut oil in my mouth before I do anything and swish it around for 20 minutes. Coconut oil is suppose to be antibacterial so that is good for my gingivitis and there is a plenty of benefits that this has. If you are interested check out the website and I have been reading a lot of stuff on it. Tomorrow going to a nice french restaurant don't have to worry about the portions being too big. Ha. They are good at portion control. Love and Light.

[karolinakat]

A friend of mine suggests the Oil Pulling for a variety of ills! Is it nasty?

[Sarah1466]

wow...I've never heard of that! I'll have to look it up. 20 Minutes?!?!? WOW! I don't know that I could do that! I always think of doggies. And water. And Love and Light.

[Cattrix]

[quote name='MonicaC' timestamp='1327028420' post='63887']
Huh... puzzelment, how do you keep oil in your mouth for twenty minutes?

I have to use a special toothpaste and brush and keep the "suds" in my mouth for two minutes after brushing. I find that incredibly difficult. hahaha there is no way I could do that with the oil.

I couldn't be quiet that long.

Oh Wait !! I told you people I was very quiet and reserved. haha

I talk to myself too much and I can't do it in my head.

hugs
Cat

[MonicaC]

The oil pulling is quite well explained on the earth clinic website I had mentioned. 20 minutes go incredibly fast if you check your email or watch the morning news as you swish the coconut oil between your teeth and the back molars as there are glands back there. coconut oil is antibacterial. So will see if my dentist notices a difference the next time I go in. as I said I have gingivitis and my gums are prone to bleeding so anything that helps them I will try. I also have been dealing with restoring my basement after I found out that my basement had significant flooding and had to hire a company that had to evacuate 3 inches of water. This has been quite challenging and I have been eating a lot of healthy food but a lot of quantity as it is my way of handling major stress. Reminds me of my feelings I had at my old job always putting out fires. Glad I don't have to do this every week. So that has been preoccupying my mind since last Friday. Hope everyone is having a good beginning of the chinese new year it;s the year of the dragon. Love and Light.

[Cattrix]

MonicaC, on 25 January 2012 - 03:19 AM, said:

The oil pulling is quite well explained on the earth clinic website I had mentioned. 20 minutes go incredibly fast if you check your email or watch the morning news as you swish the coconut oil between your teeth and the back molars as there are glands back there. coconut oil is antibacterial. So will see if my dentist notices a difference the next time I go in. as I said I have gingivitis and my gums are prone to bleeding so anything that helps them I will try. I also have been dealing with restoring my basement after I found out that my basement had significant flooding and had to hire a company that had to evacuate 3 inches of water. This has been quite challenging and I have been eating a lot of healthy food but a lot of quantity as it is my way of handling major stress. Reminds me of my feelings I had at my old job always putting out fires. Glad I don't have to do this every week. So that has been preoccupying my mind since last Friday. Hope everyone is having a good beginning of the chinese new year it;s the year of the dragon. Love and Light.

Monica, that is interesting.. I know that site, I've been there quite a few times.
A couple of year ago that was where I learned to use camomile eye wash or black tea bags for my daughters eyes when she gets conjunctivitis.

I had also read, not sure if it was there or somewhere else that coconut macaroons, or coconut cookies in general were good for ibs. We tried some for my husbands ibs and, didn't seem to work well for him, but I have read of others who got good results.

Yes Happy Chinese New Year,

*I'm a Monkey* which has irritated me to no end most of my life as I'm Not, particularly fond of monkeys.

I would so rather be a dragon or even a rat. sigh,

Cat

[Sarah1466]

Hi Monica....sorry about your basement! YIKES! I too have had 3 days of what I consider "binging". I do really well throughout the day, but then in the evening I have not been making good choices. It is mostly because I am so burned out. My resolve gets very low. I also sometimes feel very restricted, and want to eat "what I want to eat"....and not some "imposed upon me limitations". I know I am imposing my own limits, but sometimes the restrictiveness gets to be a bit too much. This is mostly before I get my period. I basically say, what the hell.....and eat, but that leads to more bad choices....so then I say, well it is only one night, how much damage can I possibly do in one night? Well....one night lead to 3.....but I hope I will turn it around today. Love and light to you Monica!

PS.....I'm a Rat. Rat – 鼠 (子) (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Water): Forthright, tenacious, intense, meticulous, charismatic, sensitive, intellectual, industrious, charming, eloquent, sociable, artistic, and shrewd. Can be manipulative, vindictive, self-destructive, envious, mendacious, venal, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, intolerant, and scheming. - Wikipedia

I would like to think I embody the finer qualities!

[Cattrix]

Monica, how are you doing, I hope you are fine and the weather is nicer there.

I saw some orange and greenish cauliflower the other day and if they weren't asking an arm and a leg for a pound I would have got some and tried it. I'm thinking of getting some seed and starting some and in fact, I need to get on my seed starts, like REAL soon.

Hugs
Cat

[Illinoispainter]

Cattrix, on 06 February 2012 - 04:10 PM, said:

Monica, how are you doing, I hope you are fine and the weather is nicer there.

I saw some orange and greenish cauliflower the other day and if they weren't asking an arm and a leg for a pound I would have got some and tried it. I'm thinking of getting some seed and starting some and in fact, I need to get on my seed starts, like REAL soon.

Hugs
Cat

Gurney's catalog had seed for green cauliflower, and it was beautiful! It looked like a huge green snowflake since it was shaped like a crystal. Really tempting!
Linda

[MonicaC]

Hi Sarah, Cattrix and ILpainter, I have been dealing with house issues and it gets bait much as I love my privacy in my home and I have to deal with it. So that gets me derailed and now I am trying to just be sensible again with my food choices. Not crazy strict just eating a normal amount at my meal times. Sugar is so seductive, it is my go to when I feel overwhelmed. Don't want to give you any added unneeded images but you get what I mean.This morning said what would I enjoy and let go of easy enough. Picked one tomato, one avocado and 1 slice of mozzarella cheese with fresh basil. There we have it and I feel like good choices for me this morning. Thanks for checking in and sorry for the absence just dealing with stuff. Love and Light.