185.2 Writing Again!

I've been off track with the blog and with my own writing for a long time now. What I've noticed is if I get off track with one thing, things seem to cascade into chaos on all fronts. I lose focus on eating, exercise, organization in my office, writing for fun - it all goes away. So I'm trying to get it all back. My office is in much better shape out of necessity as we get ready for Christmas and the arrival of all of our children and grandchildren. My food choices and amounts seem to be taking care of themselves. This morning I made only a 1/4 cup of oatmeal instead of the 1/2 cup that is considered a serving on the box, and ended up not finishing that. I was full, I felt full which is still a big deal for me because I'm not always aware of how I feel. Exercise is still not really on track since I've been in trouble with my right hip and assorted other aches and pains, but nothing too serious. Tomorrow I'll make an appointment to see my physical therapist and get that problem solved. So, I wonder if my chaos issues are pretty common, that cascading chaos is what happens to most of us when one thing gets out of control?

We had a great time in Hawaii, by the way. I was able to go snorkeling twice when the water was fairly calm. I hadn't been snorkeling since all of my back issues befell me starting in 2003, so that was a big deal to be able to do that. The Big Island was full of hidden treasures ~ beaches, restaurants, vistas, lectures, etc. We visited the Place Botanical Garden which is owned and operated by my nephew's wife's father and it was amazingly beautiful and her father's dream come true.

I admit that this is really an odd time for me to make a commitment to start writing more regularly but I do want to reconnect with this part of me and with you.

196.2 New and Different...For Me

Did you notice the weight drop? Here's what I can tell you that I have changed recently in what I am doing. I have decided that I don't need to eat three meals a day, everyday. (Jennifer has suggested I do this over the course of our work together, but I was always fearful that if I didn't eat three meals a day, I would eat out of control.) What I have learned is that I don't have to eat breakfast as soon as I get up in the morning. And if I am busy and comfortable, I don't need to stop and prepare lunch. What I do have to do is eat with intention, stay very aware of what I eat, and don't let not eating on a regular schedule lead to grazing and/or eating out of control because of feeling so hungry. I am hungry now and it is about 1:30 pm. I haven't eaten yet today, but as soon as I click on publish I am heading into the kitchen to prepare a high protein, high fiber meal the will carry me into the dinner hour. I don't plan on doing this everyday, but I plan to keep this model as something to do that may help me lose when I find myself bogged down, stuck. Try it. I'll be interested in learning if this works for you, too.

Yesterday I wrote about tea without crumpets, or anything else. But since I do strive for honesty in this blog I must tell you that it came to me that I could serve oranges with a little powdered sugar on them and it would not wreak havoc with my intention to lose weight. So I peeled way the skin - I am so good at this that the skin can be removed in one very long narrow piece by turning and slicing the peel away. OK, too much information, but quite a site to behold! Anyway, I sliced them horizontally into about 4 slices-5 slices, added the powdered sugar and voila! My friends truly enjoyed them.

We went to a local, independant bookstore to hear Erica Baumeister talk about her most recent book, The School of Essential Ingredients. Yes, it is about food and I can read about food and not feel sad or wistful. This book is not just about food. It's really about a cooking school, the teacher and the eight participants in the class. After hearing Erica read from her book, I know I am going to love it.