Jenn

Firstly I will be reading blogs as soon as I can.  And I know there are some ladies I need to go back and read some of your older blogs.  I miss you and I have not forgotten about you.  I have just needed to do some things and refocus and I am one of those people who is really good at multitasking until I am not….lol  So, things are busy this week, but still I can feel myself starting to RELAX.

What has been working for my blues and weight loss?  (And the two do go hand and hand.)

-regular exercise (30 min of cardio/day and I am at 5 consecutive days)

-balanced eating

-reaching out to a friend

-a reduction of stress and stressful situations

-no more exposure to renovating chemicals and materials (paint, drywall and drywall dust, paint thinner, paint stripper, crack filler, tub instalation chemicals and product) - these things do place stress on our bodies and cause a depeletion in vitamins and minerals.  I detest chemicals and so that in itself is added stress.   Could write more about chemicals, BUT NO.  Yah, done with them.

-making sure I have been taking my regular vitamins plus other supplements.  I do not take many supplements as I do see them as medicine.  And St. John’s Wort is seriously helpful for me.  I am not taking the full dose, but do find I am really less anxious and less likely to EE.

-Relaxation and self care (meditation, fall clean up that is not rushed, good comedies, good music, getting a new hair cut today)

-Finding out from any source, that I am not alone in what I am feeling and experiencing

 -I am recording just for 5 days to make sure my nutrition is back on.  It has been all over the place and not a desirable place for weight loss.

-REMEMBERING (this has been tough lately) that a high fiber/phytic acid diet can reduce zinc levels and low zinc levels CAN cause a variety of issues including a decreased immune system and low sex drive (among other issues).  One of my favorite high fiber cereals DOES NOT have added zinc where as others do.  Since adding a little zinc when I was ill and when ever I see that I am having those high fiber foods some what frequently I have been feeling a lot better. ;)  Mostly I am eating zinc rich foods.  I am writing this company to ask them why their cereal does not contain added zinc. One serving contains 8 grams of fiber and eaten semi regularily with a healthy diet also contributing to good, I SAY GOOD *smiles* fiber, could lead to low zinc levels.  It is important to know that the requirement of vitamins and minerals is VERY INDIVIDUAL and the symptomalogy is often a better indicator then blood tests.  My tests showed that everything is fine and yet my health was not fine.  Things are finally better.

And what I can believe is INCREASED SERETONIN.  :) 

Today David and I are going to the Trans Siberian Orchestra and I am feeling like it is Christmas.  Not because of the show, this was David’s pick (I picked the James Blunt concert) but rather it IS ELECTION DAY.   I will enjoy the show!   But this election affects more in this world then Canada’s resent election.  SO as soon as I am home tonight, my eyes will be glued to the TV.  I am so excited!!  Yep, I am a giddy kid.  Let’s go Obama voters!!!  I am cheering on my McCain supporting buddies too especially because you have (a) heart(s) of gold.  Love you all!  *hugs*

So I want to write something quick and yet do not know what to say. It feels like I am just now talking to a new friend I have not seen in awhile. What to say?

I have been frustrated and I do not want sympathy, please! But just wanted to share that I injured my knee again, same thing and they will not do anything for it, they can’t they say. SO I NEED TO BE CAREFUL! No I was not even doing a sport, I was climbing up one very high step of a bleacher to watch a baseball game and just twisted it wrong. Not only that, instead of resting it properly I went a little hard with life when I should have just sat on my butt for awhile. So yesterday was a sit on my butt day drugged out on some most pleasant medication that actually helped me to keep my behind glued to the couch and bed. Seriously I felt drunk for much of the day. It feels so much better today. BUT I KNOW I MUST BE CAREFUL.

I have had some other health issues that have lead me to need to do a bit of a cleanse. Nasty cravings!! I am using food and as much activity as I can to cleanse/detox and get better. One way to really detox is to sweat a lot and work the big muscles (I can not work my quads…. *tear, tear*). Well since I am trying to take it easy with any kind of impact, this is tough. I am looking to the Wildcat activity chart and giving it my all, with in reason. Seriously I have been slacking and it is time to work on my strength and flexibility a little. Could I have re-injured myself because I have let certain activities fall from my routine? Perhaps. Could be just an old injury (my Mom has the same thing I just found out - weird!). Matters not now. Now it is time to get at it and make it better.

Study, workout, read blogs at lunch time, study and go to book club tonight. Missed Canadian Idol last night. Yes I am watching it and loving it like the older gal I am. I hear from some young people that it is so yesterday……lol Well I guess I never use to watch it, but now it is a part of my week. I should be able to see it soon. *grins*

So have a great week everyone! It is time for a loss

Setting my goals has not really been working.  I know how I want to eat and it is spiritually, emotionally and environmentally directed.  I need this for myself.  If one lives by any kind of morals then it should make things a lot easier when it comes to choices, right?  Ha, yeh right!  Well I am hoping.  I am tired of feeling selfish and over indulgent.  I know George is visiting soon, Good old George, but I have not worn the fat pants is a darn long time.  Time to think like the Buddha would and get real with myself.   I desire more for myself then the instant gratification that is over and done with before the sweetness is even swallowed.  NO MORE.  Where is my temple that was so near?  No more.

I am not sad.  I am glad to see things so clearly.   This is my new moment to progress not digress.
Only positive thoughts.

On the news of exercise because the other was a tadpole short of ideal, I walked and walked around downtown checking out the street fair.  Found some cheap books that I am really excited about.  So I would say my knee is MUCH better.   I need to get back into shape though.   This is the longest I have ever gone being so sedentary and I will never take for granted again the ability to MOVE and MOVE a lot.  The excess on my legs and behind let me know today that I have had ENOUGH!

And so I ask myself each time I eat this week, “is that Temple-quality food?” or “is this Earth-friendly food?”  I even made the cards to remind me.  I have a short memory sometimes.  *rolls eyes*………

Respect?   Oh yes I do deserve it.

The thing about the last blog appearing so long, I did not write most of it. This is shorter. Quickies can be good too, even necessary!

When I wrote the last blog I was not really sad. A little p-o’ed but certainly so thrilled to be aware of myself, my thoughts and what I do with food in the not so ideal times. I feel so awesome and for so many reasons. I just did not want my buddies to think that I was still in monster state. Though does it ever go away? I think not.

I have been working out usually at different times through out the day and eating regular small meals/snacks. Studying outside on the terrace today as I could not bring myself to take Oscar back in so I took my books out for a bit. The heat was just a beating down so we only stayed out for about 25 minutes. Made some homemade pea soup in the crockpot. And maybe after some more studying and supper we just might go and play tennis. We will see.

We have a new game and we waited so long and I mean I felt like the annoying kid who kept saying “is it in yet?” Nothing like a game called Pandemic to make you work together to solve the little issue of us vs. the disease. I am so morbid but I have a certain fascination for such things. It is kind of like me and vampire movies I guess. Just my thing. I love that we get to work together, David and myself.

Life is so good and I am so thankful. Off to read about energies with in the body and how everything we think and feel creates our biology. So keep it positive, deal with the not so good because procrastination really bites us in the ass and smile. Because you never know who is watching.

And from Jane with the challenge. I helped a gentlemen up when he was quite down today. I think the poor guy was shocked with my good intensions, but that was what came for me. I was open and I just did!

I am back to recording just to make sure I am getting proper nutrition and I feel fabulous!!! 24-28 points is the goal and I am basing my points on how much I am moving too.

Biggest hugs………

Well, I think I have a veggie buddy who is not here at Buddyslim but we are going to attempt to do this support system online.  What a concept!

The whole weight thing use to be such a taboo subject for me, but with tools I have always felt like I would eventually get there, ya know.  This journey has been a long one and I am always amazed at those who just seem to get it done.  There are so many factors that contribute to the journey.  For me, the biggest thing I have realized in the last several weeks, is that it is a much better, more enjoyable journey if you can take the skills and knowledge and not take the criticism and personalities too too personally.

I really think it is so much better to laugh at ourselves then to beat ourselves up over the little and big indulgences.  See where things went screwy and keep going.  LAUGH.  It might be the best medicine.  It was for me today.  Me plus milk products equal a big balloon, now how funny is that when I know it is mostly just a lot of bloatedness.  Back at it this week.  More dedicated workouts and a proper diet.  I also want to search out some quick and interesting vegetarian recipes. So here I go….laughing my way all the way to work ………

Have a great week everyone.  *hugs*

Well I have been doing well. Not super strict either. I am enjoying treating my body well. Nice to have a break and give my screaming bowling butt a break.

What was really strange was that I had a bit of an anxious day as I was reading yesterday. Just old thoughts in the pursuit of becoming my best me. Well David wanted to go out for a treat and I could not think what I wanted. Really, THIS is not like me at all. I just did not want. Could not think of anything. Well, we opted for an ice cream place where I had chocolate and blood orange sorbet. Yes 2 flavors. I love the taste experience….lol But it was dairy free and next time I would just get one flavor… chocolate, but I learned something. I was not eating out of stress. Not an ideal day, but I was not thinking of food to solve anything or comfort me. Heck it was not even my idea to have a treat. But because I had left some extra points for a dessert (I assumed fruit because this is all we had) it was no big deal. I went over my points only by one (25 pt day) and it was all good. It was good to give my strained muscle a bit of a break, do some reading and go out for a treat with my sweetie. What was stressful? Triggers and little arguments! I guess we just butt heads sometimes, like once a month. I know it is often because I do not express what I want to do. I just go along and then perhaps resentment builds. Ahhh learning….

Have not been getting my veggies as much as I would like, but all stocked up now. I had a high protein day (it has been a high intensity month for exercise) so having a little sugar was fine…. just not making it a habit.

What do you call a serving a fruit of vegetables???

I say a half a banana, a good half cup of grapes, a medium carrot, stuffed cup of spinach, half cup of real juice, stuffed or heaping half cup of broccoli are all a serving for me. I have been getting 6ish and I want 8-12. So, it should be better now that we went shopping. Goal is to replace one snack with veggies instead of, well other choices. I know I could have looked up what the Canadian or American health organizations call a serving, but just curious what others eat for veggies.

Since I am really becoming aware of my chewing, I feel content with just smaller portions and less food generally and this includes veggies. But I have energy and feel good. SO I guess this is most important.

Looked at my goals and I am doing all right! Off to work out and study.

Weighing in Monday…… it is about time ! Ha!

Have a great day everyone. Feed yourself like you deserve to be fed, exercise your precious body and laugh. I am making a choice to laugh at the insanity!!! *hugs*

P.S.: Love this blog and had to share!

http://jenndombroski.buddyslim.com/2008/04/15/an-orange-vs-chocolate/

LOVE Buddyslim and all the cool minds out there.

I have made some very poor choices and I just can not take it anymore. I felt so aweful. Yesterday I learned that JUNK= anxiety, bloatedness, general crumbiness and then after this crappy day I felt like I could not get to sleep. SO what is today like? Well I already know that a nap is scheduled for me when ever I need, because I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE THIS SPIRAL INTO AN ILLNESS. I let stress get to me and this is such a poor excuse, but I did. I guess I have never felt like I hated junk foods (brownies, dairy, bread….. that was about it, but just YUCK. Not agreeing with me, SO I NEED TO LISTEN TO THE FEEDBACK!), but I dislike them in me. So what is it going to take for me to not turn to this crap? Do I need to become diseased? I really hope not. My plan which is what I am working on for a lifestyle is starting today. It is not tough for me only because I have eaten like this for a long time, but the key is to maintain it. I need to get cleansed. I researched the many recipes out there and to be honest they may not be for me. I have low blood pressure as it is and I do not need to be falling down with a lack of calories and ancient remedies that say they revive a toxic liver. I just am going to eat well and exercise. Not so hard. For my stress, I am getting back to reading my book, A New Earth. I was dealing so well with all of life’s stresses and then I put it down while I worked on other priorities. Well that was just poor for my self growth. I am opening my mind again to a deeper existence. One where perhaps I will think, breathe and let it all go instead of ingesting sugars and fats, only to feel ill in the end.

No more floundering….. Time for a life long plan that will work for me, I know, because I when I have done it, I have felt the best I have ever felt! But, I am SERIOUSLY starting to realize that the treats do not even feel so nice inside. There is not even the same pleasure in the moment. Just overly sugary waste!

The plan is to be on plan for 6 out of 7 days. No if’s, and’s or but’s about it! On my “off” day, I am not truly off, but I can have a meal, plus a small treat (IF SO DESIRED). But if I chose to eat out, the food I pick will still not be the problem foods for awhile. There is a lovely East Indian restaurant where I can have some nice vegetarian, dairy and bread free foods that are to die for. Other options exist. Love Mexican! Not every meal can be “off” plan on this day or I will seriously feel crappy. But, it will be there if I want. For 6 days I feed myself well. Heal. Become energized and feel like my body is alive, instead of feeling irritated.

I am thinking RAW and will lightly steam the tough vegetables for good digestion.

WHOLE FOODS. Are brown rice cakes whole? I think not, but then there is some common sense allotted here.

Decent food combining most of the time. No meat with complex carbs. Good solid vegetarian food combining for energy and protein. Fruits alone and not within 4 hours or so after protein. Pineapple and papaya are the exceptions if so desired.

Chew food well, 20-50 times depending of course on the food.

NO SUGAR, FLOUR, BREAD WHEAT PRODUCTS, CAFFEINE OF ANY KIND for a good damn long time.

NO DAIRY, except yogurt.

8-12 servings of fruits and veggies per day.

A little good healthy fat, my omegas

30-50 grams of fiber per day. Not actually going to keep track long term, but for a few days just to get a feel for what is good. I know I need a lot. (Beans, lentils, chickpeas, fruit, vegetables, psyllium, grains…) I had no flatulence when I was eating well. It only came back when I started to eat junk. Even eating all the legumes, NOTHING. Cool! One of my faves is beans in tomato sauce and it does have added sugar, that is one of the worst. Nasty! T.M.I….lol But like you weren’t thinking it!

Continue to drink my water and herbal teas between meals as to not dilute my stomach juices when I eat. Sips of course are fine, but no diluting.

Vitamins.

Appreciate and give thanks for all that I have.

Back to a happy me….. I really did need to feel rotten to get back to a more relaxed and healthier way of living. Eating well is not a strain! I do not want dead and deadening food in me. I do not want toxins floundering in my blood doing damage and this is what sugary junk foods and chemicals do….. they overwhelm our organs like our Liver and then all systems do not do as well as they could otherwise. For instance, our metabolism can slow down when our Liver becomes sluggish. I want a healthy metabolism. I want a healthy me. I deserve to be healthy, despite what my screwed up ego of a mind tells me sometimes.

Wow…. RELIEF. I do not feel sad or frustrated. I just needed to feel and know where I want to be. My body yelled and I will respect this.

Next section in my course…. Optimal Nutrition for the Mind. Looks great and I am excited to start it. I love it when statements are backed up with really good studies and I feel really confident with the contents…. from just doing a quick overview of it.

Bowling yesterday was GREAT. I mean I was awful! Plum awful. I have not bowled since I was 10 years old, but it was good. So much fun. But I noticed with all the sugar I had before we went out (EE for completely stupid reasons), I really felt anxious. Still good times and I can not wait to go again. I swear I used different muscles then when I play the Wii and it really was, well a good workout. The shoes fit nice too. Almost wanted to take them home…lol

Have a great weekend everyone. Hope it is sunny where you are. Looks amazing here so I am going to make myself a fresh juice, start a crockpot of slow simmering vegetable soup/broth and enjoy the day…. outside, with a book, tidying a little. Might go play mini golf. David seems to think that I would get a rush out of doing some target practice. Good lord, either he knows me too well or I do not know me at all. We will see what adventures we can find. I am opting for mini golf, but I am into stepping outside my box these days, like a younger me would have done …… I may give almost anything a whirl! *smiles* Have a great one!

This is the question.

Well David is not one to beg, lol, but he did suggest that I not weigh in. In fact he said I should stand naked infront of the mirror and let that image be the factor that tells me that I am doing well. I know that with this diet I have not lost anything and this was not my goal. My goal was to feel better. Find some health. I am sure not losing has more to do with the fact that I did not exercise enough this month. A combination of busyness and laziness for sure. So, he rarely suggests anything weight loss/diet related (he knows…hehe) but I agree with him. At some point in the coming month I will get on that scale because I think it is a good time. It will tell me whatever. But I feel good and I do not want to let a number dictate my mood. It will not tell me a thing. Sure I feel like a cop out, or maybe a little in denial, but it is not for me at this time.

So, how do I know I have gained a little? Well, I like how I look, but where my skin was really, really lose, well it is only a little lose. So I know I have not lost, this is for sure. The old skin needs to take it’s time, just like me. I need to be patient and enjoy the journey. CERTAINLY, I am kicking my behind into action. More workouts!!! Consistency. Persistence. Dedication to my heart, muscles, cleansing, improved mood…. Cheers to our improved health! Every day we make choices for ourselves and though some are not for our diets, we do make them. And I think that we are coming to a better and better place as we just make more and more healthy choices. What are you doing for you that is making you feel amazing about yourself? Keep it up. Thank you for being my inspiration. Have a great week *hugs*

Tea cheers to you all……

(by the way, did I tell you that I am not drinking or eating caffeine??? I was studying yesterday and I wanted a tea so bad to stay awake. I took a 45 minute nap and awoke to finish my section. NO TEA. I will finish this detox with food combining as the path because I want some darn green tea. I miss it more then anything and it is not even about being addicted to the caffeine. Just had a feeling like I wanted. Also, I am journaling/counting points just to make sure I get proper food and calories. Have not been eating enough some days. Too much other days…. ahhh the story of our lives. Anyways… something to share )

I am down a pound (YAH!) and I have realized somethings as I record. I need to take this slow and not worry about my goal. I must live now how I see myself wanting to live. (Well THIS is what I said in my profile a long time ago…) I do not want to deny myself. I do not ever want to feel deprived yet I do not like to feel like a pig either. That is a nasty feeling. I need to feel pleasure from food. Not all the time, but sometimes. I need to not feel bad about enjoying multiple treats, life, myself, etc. It is of course a good thing to find pleasure in all areas of our lives and so this is always something to work on. I for one am trying to be open to what it is that is next. I have been told to just try different things. Right. From the “feels like the queen of failure”, I really do not like just jumping in. I am like a cat in water! Something else that is occuring frequently in my mind is weight and career and success. Things to think more about….

On the up side, I REALLY enjoyed and am still enjoying my weekend. Watched a new movie by the fire last night (Sweeny Todd - NOT the high light of my day, it is good, well done, but REALLY not my cup of tea - Still LOVE Mr. Depp though) and woke up EARLY this AM and enjoyed a mini spa. Turned out the lights, lit a candle, warm tub with the scent of lime, and enjoyed!!! Exfoliated and moisturized - I REALLY DO NOT DO THIS ENOUGH !!! I must make this a weekly thang. I deserve it. We all do!

SATURDAY:

1 small banana, fresh pineapple, 1 hard boiled egg, green tea

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Whole grain/almond Kashi bar & a shake: choc. prot. powder (whey), soymilk, frozen blueberries, already slivered carrots, frozen cranberries, flaxseeds.

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GYM- 10 min of cardio to warm up and 50 min. of pretty consistent strength training

elliptical - 45 min.

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Sushi, a good amount of tuna and salmon

Flax and date cookie (med.), chai tea with unsweetened soymilk and stevia

small lemon coconut square

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large Vegetable soup

lemon pepper chicken and shrimp (seafood sauce)

snap peas and hummus

white wine

lemon yogurt

SUNDAY:

V8, oatmeal w/cinnamon and unsweetened apple sauce, egg whites

Elliptical -30m min. Butt exercises as stated in The Butt Book (Tosca Reno) - 5 (5 x 10)

Large salad, Matar Paneer, chicken samosa, lentils and mushrooms w/ pepper and lemon juice, steamed soy chai w/ vanilla and stevia (extra cinnamon), small piece of halvah

Fruit & yogurt - snack if desired

OMG… I am so hungry and aliens made me go to the corner store (part of this is true!!! : ) : steamed milk, few chips, Krackles

Open face club house sandwich, with green pea soup (chicken bacon, onions and splash of white wine), 2 key lime candies (maltitol)

Twas a great free day

This kind of recording/cooking is actually helping me stay away from restaurants, impulsive choices (for the most part) and is allowing me to think about other things other then meals. (AND WE DO NEED TO THINK A LITTLE IN ORDER TO LOSE, even if it is at a turtle pace, which I accept now. I do, I do.) It is planned and that is that. Things can change if need be, but there is no needless wondering what will we want. David never cares except he likes to go out. I think he just does not cook and wants to do his share, but frankly, we have food! We/I (he helps on the weekends a little) just prepare and then he adds what he wants to his and I add to mine. This way we both are good with it. This is good eats…hehe I accept that our tastebuds are not all the same. Not everyone can handle plain chicken with just lemon and pepper…hehe.

Has anyone else seen Cooking Yourself Thin? It is a British show and it is high on my must see list. I have it recorded so I never miss it.

Health, Happiness, Hugs, Have a good one!

I do not feel like a perfectionist at all…. hehe. I only say this because when you are recording, there is such a delicate balance between being true and accurate (GETTING RESULTS) and becoming comepletely consumed. Luckily my kitchen is organized so that things are hand and convenient. I am also enjoying things as I want them in a reasonable amount and I am not emotionally eating *knocks on wood* I know I am thinking twice if I am really hungry because mostly I am too lazy if I am not to actually come on here and change my blog. Hehe… it is all good. But alas, I was ACTUALLY hungry last night.

Dear Master: It will be a day of breakfasts. They are quick and easy it seems for me to pack for work

Shake: 1/2 c. OJ w/ calcium, blueberries, cranberries, flaxseeds (1.5-2 T. b/c not all those seeds get ground…stubborn little suckers!), water

hard boiled egg

1/2 a toasted whole wheat english muffin w/ 2 t. almond butter, 1/2 banana

…………………………………………………WORKOUT

club soda, 1/2 c. OJ w/calcium, 1 T. raw pumpkin seeds

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broccoli, cucumber, dried cranberries…… whatever else I can find “salad”

h.m. amaranth pancakes with a couple T. of apple sauce, cinnamon, 5ish almonds, 2 strips of turkey bacon, 1 T. ketchup, V8, baked beans IF I am still hungry (1/2 c?) ……..OFF TO WORK

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1 sm. h.m. fat free brownie

1 sc. chocolate protein powder, 1 T. cocoa, coffee

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1/2-3/4 c. (before cooking) oatmeal with 1 c. soymilk (small tetra pack for work have a little sugar :), 1/2 c. unsweetened apple sauce, hard boiled egg

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fresh pineapple and 10 g. dark chocolate - hungry

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antipasto, 2 rice cakes, 1 h.m. protein fat-free brownie  - bored and wanting… lol….

HOW CAN WE TELL IT IS TIME FOR JENN TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE ??? Well there is no fresh fruit (other then some not so great bananas - they look green and taste brown…WEIRD!) in the house and I am resorting to the back of the freezer to find lunches…. hence the mini pancakes are from like 2 or 3 weeks ago…hehe.

This is a lot of detail. WW did this to me!!! LOL

ACTIVITY: 45 min elliptical, stretching

Have a fabulous weekend Everyone! *hugs*