Vegetarian Success!

Monday, January 23, 2012

My new venture into vegetarian eating is going just fine. Have not lost any weight (which I had hoped) but I have no doubt that I will. I have increased the exercises and am being cautious to avoid injury. My knees are not happy about the last long walk so I did some knee and thigh strengthening exercises and wore my band for a few days. They have been gradually improving and I will be ready for the next longer walk in a couple of days. Trying to build up to 3 hours which will culminate next week. Then we will back off a bit. I’m thinking about walking 3 days a week after that cutting back to a somewhat shorter time.

I have been scanning and organizing photos in prep for making a presentation of our work. It involves a lot of time and I am trying to spread it out so I don’t spend the whole day at the computer. Today, I did strength exercises but saved a couple to do later in the day when I need to get up and move a bit. Will also do some stretching after that.

Our sweet dog was ill over the weekend and I feared the worst. Thankfully, she seems to be herself this morning. We think it was either the poison hubby put on her collar to deter ticks (I wasn’t happy about that when he told me what he’d done though I said nothing), the two birds she ingested on Thursday and Friday, or a combination of both. I had removed her collar on Saturday and when I thought about the poison, I washed it well giving it a vinegar rinse to hopefully remove that poison. We (hubby and I) agreed that, from now on, when she hunts and catches birds, we would take them away. After burying three of our pets in the past several years, you can guess that I was kind of upset about all this.

Some of my meals have included brown rice, soaked cracked wheat, corn meal (which I will not eat after this pkg because it is probably Genetically Modified), oatmeal, sunflower seeds, ground flaxseed, tahine, olive oil, Brazil nuts, molasses, and lots of fruits and vegies. Prep is easy, relatively quick, and costing less.

Last night, I realized that I am no longer thinking about food except when I feel hunger. Occasionally, in the evening, I still find that I am hungry. I think it is that emotional hunger that I have been fighting all of my adult life. This time, unlike other times, I easily recognized that it was not physical hunger. I did eat something and the desire subsided, but I think that if I keep up this way of eating, I just might come to terms about it, then the emotion will also subside. Anyway, that would be a wonderful benefit.

After all, This is MY Life.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

1STCINDERALLA 1/23/2012 7:15PM

I have decided that I am also an emotional eater and sometimes a bored one (meaning I eat when I'm bored). Today I ate well--I was too busy for anything else. Report Inappropriate Comment

AJDOVER1 1/23/2012 6:36PM

Best wishes on your continuing success! It sounds like you're being very smart about walking. It's a great exercise, but so time-consuming! I didn't have any success with weight-loss until I joined a gym. I know that's not an option for you, though! Thanks for another great kitty pic! Hugs, Aurlie Report Inappropriate Comment

DDOORN 1/23/2012 11:13AM

Have swapped out my usual cheese for home-made hummus this week for my lunchtime veggies. MUCH lower calories! Kudos to following through on your veggie changes! Don Report Inappropriate Comment

DIVEGODDESS 1/23/2012 10:05AM

You're going veggie now? Parabens!! Love the picture of the kitty. Mine like to play with lettuce and kale. Report Inappropriate Comment

*MADHU* 1/23/2012 9:27AM

I've been a vegetarian all my life and I think it is the best way to go. Keep up your efforts Report Inappropriate Comment

Returning to Vegan

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Well, I haven't been losing weight. It is slowly creeping back up and I have been terribly frustrated with that. So I keep right on researching nutrition and eating plans. I am once again convinced that vegetarian is the way for me. Why?

* I already eat a lot of fruits & vegies
* Even with weighing and measuring all of my food, I struggle controlling intake and hunger
* I do not miss meat of any kind when I do not eat it
* I have not missed milk products either
* According to recent research, these struggles I am having have nothing to do with the amount of calories I eat
* I need to break the old patterns and lose weight
* Increasing exercise in order to lose and maintain is out of the question and ridiculously difficult to do - you hafto completely change your lifestyle focus and I do not plan to become an exercise guru; exercise is an important part and I have other things to do in life
* I am not satisfied being overweight and refuse to accept it as my state of being

These are the videos and sites I visited last week that helped me come to this conclusion:

Forks Over Knives
www.youtube.com/ForksOverKnives

How I Lost 160+ Pounds – Angela Stokes-Monarch
thecoolvegetarian.com/blog/2011/07/h
ow-i-lost-160-pounds-angela-stokes-mon
arch-video/

Are You Ready to Be 100% Vegan ?
thecoolvegetarian.com/blog/2011/12/a
re-you-ready-to-be-100-vegan-video/

Why Raw Food?
www.kristensraw.com/why_raw_get_star
ted.php

The Fat Trap
www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/
tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html?_r=2

Breaking Free of the Dietary Pleasure Trap
www.healthpromoting.com/article/brea
king-free-dietary-pleasure-trap

I am not committing to a lifetime of vegan eating. I am committing to giving it another whirl and see what happens. I know the pitfalls and I will figure it out.

After all, This is MY Life!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

1STCINDERALLA 1/17/2012 1:32PM

I'm going to start following the DASH diet as soon as I get the book. Good Morning Reported that it is considered the best diet in this country. Report Inappropriate Comment

DDOORN 1/17/2012 10:18AM

Another great pic! My last blog was on "The Fat Trap"...hard truths there! Have toyed with Vegan too...perhaps this might be an idea to try. Eggs, cheese & yogurt would be SO difficult to forego...will mull on this though... Thx for reminding me of this! Don Report Inappropriate Comment

BARBARASDIET 1/16/2012 5:46PM

I'm having the same problem with a small gain, despite more exercise. I've tried vegetarian and it is not for me. But whatever works... Report Inappropriate Comment

AJDOVER1 1/16/2012 5:21PM

I always love your kitty pics! I applaud your efforts to take control of your weight. I have several SparkFriends who have had remarkable success with their exercise. I just can't fit 2-hour gym sessions into my life. I'm looking forward to hearing about your progress. Hugs, Aurlie Report Inappropriate Comment

SHEILA234 1/15/2012 3:41PM

Hi Vicky, I liked your blog (and the "vegan cat" picture is hilarious!) The vegan plan will hopefully be a great way for you to break through to starting to lose again. I was inspired by your last line: "I am not satisfied being overweight and refuse to accept it as my state of being." Very inspiring; thank you. Wishing you all the best, and lots of success with your new plan. p.s. I'm going to go back and check out some of the links you posted now; they look really interesting. Comment edited on: 1/15/2012 3:44:49 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

My 2012 Mantra

Monday, January 09, 2012

Exercise is Non-Negotiable!

Going to keep it in mind throughout the year. Feel free to use it as your own.

This is My Life, after all!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DDOORN 1/13/2012 8:44AM

Yep...feeling the fitness center humdrums, but keeping at it, just like the mouse, as if that cat were just about to nab my tail! Love the pic! :-) Don Comment edited on: 1/13/2012 8:45:03 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

*MADHU* 1/10/2012 1:04AM

Mantra ! Report Inappropriate Comment

1STCINDERALLA 1/9/2012 9:00PM

I agree. I'm just trying to put that in action. Report Inappropriate Comment

MAZZYR 1/9/2012 7:15PM

I love it! I just showed your post to my DH because he is my walking buddy. See you on the ThanksGiving team. xo, M Report Inappropriate Comment

CATLADY52 1/9/2012 5:33PM

I like it! Report Inappropriate Comment

Happy New Year, Amigos!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Everything seems to be going along okay. I did gain some over the holidays and will be working to get that back off and moving down the scale again. Was finally okayed by the oral surgeon to begin exercising again, so since it was nearly 2 mos of almost nothing, I am going slowly to get back into it again.

Went for two long walks this week and have done a little strength exercise. I am catching up with desk work, finally cleaned my desk and have the laptop hooked into keyboard, speakers, and screen. Nice to be getting familiar with Apple but struggling a bit to find no cost programs to get back to my photo work. That is set aside for the first part of the year, however, because of some other stuff that has taken priority. Still need to mess with photos occasionally though and need at least similar to what I was using with Microsoft.

Big dog is not doing well again and we are seriously considering putting her down. Not happy about that but it is not good to see her suffer so much. She doesn't improve no matter what we have tried. 3 rounds of antibiotics seems to have messed with her immune system too and we suspect she has caught another infection and is losing hair in patches.

I have lost touch with my Mom for a bit because they are not accepting overseas phone calls. Will need to phone my sister if there's no response to emails. As long as I do not hear anything at least I know that they are okay. But they are probably wondering why they haven't heard from me over the holidays! I'll get this figured out eventually.

The weather has been extremely hot (upper 90s F) so doing things outdoors doesn't work well. When we walk, it is early morning - later it's miserable and just zaps me of energy. I did get a consult with a homeopath and will be taking a couple of things to help the low energy. I also found organic, fresh alfalfa which supposedly helps with that too. Will begin eating it tomorrow. I've been experimenting with cassava recipes but it gives me heartburn so I'm going to stop bringing it home for the time being.

My flowers are suffering with the heat and dryness too - haven't had rain in a few weeks and then it was just a brief shower. I haven't been out to water every day but try hard not to skip more than two days. Will water them tomorrow morning for sure.

Otherwise doing fine. Emotions are up and down. I miss my children and hubby is very busy with work and people. Will need to get the church decorations down by the end of the month and will put away our Christmas tree in the next two weeks. I'm going to make a complete list of the ornaments so I know what I have for purchasing a new one or two for next year. I am also hoping to get a new tree but I saw the prices online and for what I am wishing, I'll need to convince DH that it's a good idea! I am so tired of looking at our thin branched tree and the plastic "leaves" get thinner every year -it's a wonder there are any left because I sweep up and throw away so many!

I am grateful that I do not have much pressing business going on right now so I can take time off to relax a bit most days. It is an important facet of living that I have been trying to hang onto - nurturing nonstress activities. I like to remind myself that I am in no hurry and if I must wait in a line or sort papers or write emails, it's good and okay and even somewhat stimulating. I have opportunities to chat with others who need a listening ear and tender counsel which I can offer.

This is MY Life, after all!

I hope you have the same kind of New Year of fulfillment and growth that I am wishing for myself! With forethought, planning, and persistence, we can work toward our goals and reach them one at a time.

********************

Good points from Expert Kathy Smith - Her 14 Non-Negotiable Laws
fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/ar
chive/2011/12/30/kathy-smith-laws-lean
-living.aspx?e_cid=20111230_DNL_art_2

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DDOORN 1/6/2012 9:37AM

Cheers to a year filled with SPARK! :-) Check out my latest blog for links to the science behind why it takes such effort and vigilance to maintain our weight loss! I found the info helpful in re-dedicating myself to my efforts and what I know "works". Don Report Inappropriate Comment

BARBARASDIET 12/31/2011 3:17PM

Glad to hear that things are doing ok with you. I have to get some dental work starting this week and am not looking forward to it!! Happy New Year! Report Inappropriate Comment

1STCINDERALLA 12/31/2011 3:01PM

You have a plan and that works. Have a blessed New Year's. I'm changing some things and that's good. I've already changed my sign in and going to update that. It will be some form of Cinderalla Report Inappropriate Comment

PEACEFULONE 12/31/2011 2:45AM

So glad to hear that your dental work is done and healed. Best wishes to you for a blessed New Year! Report Inappropriate Comment

*MADHU* 12/30/2011 1:44AM

Vicki, glad to hear you got an OK to begin exercise. I love it that you are looking at the bright side & grateful about the stuff you are working on. Wishing you & your family a blessed & Happy New Year ! Report Inappropriate Comment

AJDOVER1 12/29/2011 10:06PM

I'm looking forward to the New Year. I'm glad to hear the oral surgeon has cleared you to exercise, that must mean you've recovered from your procedure. I wish you all the best. You've been such an inspiration to me. Thank you! Hugs, Aurlie Report Inappropriate Comment

HEALTHY4ME 12/29/2011 9:17PM

HUgs and can totally understand missing your kids, we moved one year to a diff province ( nothing like what you have done) and I missed them too. Glad to see that you are able to walk some and get a bit of exercise started again. I am hoping that you reach your goals and also as you say I reach mine. I am very optimistic this year as my positive attitude has gotten so much better.\HUGS and take care. Report Inappropriate Comment

13 Days Till Christmas!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

What have I been doing?

Still waiting to hear if I’m cleared for exercise – doing occasion stretches and some legs exercises; avoiding weights
It’s been really hot here and dry, so giving my flowers a little extra attention
Thanksgiving and a birthday celebration with good friends



Listening to a few Christmas songs
Enjoying our tree decorated with reps of our children’s favorites



This year's new ornament -



Missing old man cat that always claimed our Christmas tree as his own; as soon as it was up he came over to claim his spot



Gratefully enjoyed a 3 day visit from No. 1 son; missing our children, one in Heaven, the others on a different continent



Mailed 120 newsletters with a little help from hubby
Readying decorations for our little church, using last year’s plus – will post photos when completed later in the week
Plans to make a couple of new recipes, one for gift giving
Transferring and cleaning out computer from desktop to my laptop, a special gift from a good friend, and making new brain cells in the effort
Reading a couple of books
Missing my family, esp. my Dad who left for Heaven last summer



I researched and wrote about cassava (yuca, macaxeira) and barbeiros for our site - fascinating studies! Added a new blog entry, too -
inafarplace.com/ Check Cookbook and Creature Feature

Remembering a SparkFriend in Heaven, Annette, with versions of “Mary Did You Know?” video, one of her favorite songs, written by the mother of singer and comedian, Mark Lowry, music by his friend. Links below.



And, This is MY Life, after all!

********************

From the Gaither Vocal Band's latest DVD project "Reunited"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vbFVLcjPWY&
feature=related

Same one with Portuguese captions (legendado em português)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRhH9NYg4Zg

Kutless
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvqUkwlniy0&
feature=related

From "The Nativity Story"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiaZYZor6vI&
feature=related

Rascal Flats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax5d8JzdyaA

Rescue A Cappella with captions in Portuguese (legendado em português)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdeIDKWyAJI&
feature=fvsr

Beautiful version in Spanish
www.youtube.com/watch?v=et4AxpJLdpY&
feature=related

Hayley Westenra
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci7-WmyG_xo&
feature=related

Divine Touch
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnMdP1McNts&
feature=related

Don’t know who this is – it is wonderful!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRIn2Kt_xC0&
feature=related

This one by a talented blind musician, Neville Peter
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRPpmeZ-bGA&
feature=related

And, an amazing rendition in Russian
Знала ль Ты, Мария? Роза Назарч
ук
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzUmlkz3_Sk&
feature=related

I miss you, Annette!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

_PAULA_H 12/16/2011 3:05PM

Loved your blog! Annette was a beautiful woman....inside & out. I miss her too. Report Inappropriate Comment

PEACEFULONE 12/15/2011 11:42AM

Great blog! Very nice to catch up on your doings. Always a treat to have a TAZ sighting on the gratitudes team. Wishing you the very best Christmas and New Year! Report Inappropriate Comment

1STCINDERALLA 12/13/2011 4:12PM

Christmas is always a good time to look back and see how God has worked. Report Inappropriate Comment

BGUMBA 12/13/2011 11:06AM

Thanks for the update! The picture of Annette is great and definitely brings back memories of that great Spark Friend! Hopefully I will get a little more decorating done, since I have done nothing so far this year. I hope you're cleared for exercise soon. Have a great Christ-filled Christmas! Report Inappropriate Comment

BARBARASDIET 12/11/2011 3:58PM

I have never seen that photo of Annette! You are good--I do virtually nothing for Christmas anymore...... Report Inappropriate Comment