BESUSAN's SparkPeople Blog

Sunday Morning Musing

Sun, 7 Nov 2010 10:15:01 EST

At twenty before plus one,
my daughter bloomed
in my womb. My birth canal
was our shared rite of passage.

Sunday Morning Musing

Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:35:23 EST

It is

my kind of hallmark moment

It’s couscous, spicy greens and yams sweetened with syrup and pecans.

It’s my clothes laid out and my messes put away without any fussing.

It’s the lists made for me or e-mails reminding me what I’ve forgotten.

It’s coming home each night to a kiss and him listening to my fussing.

It’s the conversations: Darfur, Guant...

Sunday Evening Musing

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 17:09:01 EST

you lay blossoms at my feet
weave liquid silk round my ankles
running upstream

All In A Meme: Baby Got Back!

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 07:42:05 EST

“One of the nicest realizations that I’ve come to over the past two years is
that I’m finally learning to love all of my selves.”~Wista Johnson

This week's assignment is about body image. The response has been incredible. I tell you, I'm a little anxious if I can measure up to the level of honesty and courage and inspiration I've read. This is going to be a little convoluted because the truth is, it's taken yea...

All In A Meme: Body Image Then and Now

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 07:06:05 EST

Hi all, I'm bringing back the meme. Technically, you respond on your blog but feel free to respond here if that works better for you.

Welcome to “All In A Meme.” Simplest explanation is a meme is a discussion between blogs. Every Tuesday I post a topic for participants to address on their blog. On your blog, summarize the assignment for the week and provide a link to it so your readers can participate or find mo...

Happily Munching In The Morning

Tue, 7 Sep 2010 07:47:54 EST

The topic for today's challenge is"Morning Affects Evening." If you struggle with hunger, fatigue, and food cravings in the afternoon and evening, Linda Spangle invites you to look at what you have done earlier in the day. Did you eat your breakfast? If you aren't consistent with your breakfast in the morning, your body will have a difficult time adjusting its hunger. If you are famished and exhausted when you get home for work, or after 5 p.m., make sure that you plan to always eat a snack s...

Sunday Morning Musing

Sun, 5 Sep 2010 09:42:09 EST

come lazy morning

you uncurl like an early sunday yawn
draped in paper robes and coffee stirs
absently listen to feathered conversations
outside our window till linda wertheimer
"all things considered" percolates on the counter.

Ushering In A New Season

Sat, 4 Sep 2010 13:24:24 EST

Every kid loves summer vacation but growing up I was also excited about returning to school. Back then I wouldn't haven't articulated it the same way, but I know now that school provided a kind of haven for me, a place where I could imagine and excel. School meant being with friends and supported by adults who cared about me.

I see fall as a beginning, a time of year when things are both exciting and familiar....

Sunday Morning Musing

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:35:06 EST

love smells good

like Nautica and Tide
and warm clothes
from the dryer
morning coffee kisses

Sunday Morning Musing

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:55:04 EST

in prayer

caressed absently like a rosary
comforts the devout
if only serenity could be
rolled between fingers

Day 12 of 100 Days

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:50:21 EST

Linda Spangle asks us to look at the kind of food we're eating. Is it mostly fuel, or is it filler? If it is a fuel food, it probably is a core, filling food on the WW plan. Filling foods are usually the non-processed foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. They also contain the lean proteins. Filler foods are typically processed, often containing sugars, salt, saturated and/or trans fats. It is important for us to plan our food and to ensure that we are eating the Good Health Gui...

The Book of Yoga: What Are You Reading?

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:38:37 EST

This week tell me about books you're using to augment your weight loss success. Don't sweat this. Not asking for professional, lengthy reviews. Tell me what you're reading and why. Write it in a way the blog would interest you.

The Book of Yoga by Christina Brown
Paragon Publishing
2002

During my morning commute and on breaks at work, I've been reading The Book of Yoga by Christina Brown. ...

ascension

Sun, 8 Aug 2010 09:08:18 EST

his spiral signature adorns my fingers
presence pulses quietly
closer than the air i breathe
intimate conversations
aren't always late night whispers

coffee suite

Sun, 1 Aug 2010 07:39:44 EST

columbian roast
curls hips sunnyside up
giggles pop pop pop

*
last year this time
we sifted grains not grinds
through our fingers

*

sipping on you
flavor lingers into night
daily ritual

Food for Fuel: Day 11 of 100 Days

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 09:18:44 EST

"Linda Spangle shares with us that we should only eat food for two reasons: (1) to fuel your body and (2) to appreciate flavors. Before you put food in your mouth, ask yourself if the food you're eating meets these guidelines. If not, you're doing some emotional eating. In order to prevent a binge from occurring, we need to make fueling a priority. Linda recommends a minimum of three fuel stops a day, with a couple of mini-stops in-between. You may even consider spacing out your food intake b...

food & haiku

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:50:43 EST

dreams clawed open- wide
pomegranate seeds tumbling out
sticky dye stains grin

Thank You: Day 10 of 100 Days

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:30:50 EST

"Whenever someone offers you a genuine comment about your progress, try to respond warmly to the person who pays you the compliment. Use your response to affirm and appreciate the other person by saying something such as, "You can't imagine how much it means to hear you say that. Thank you!
~Linda Spangle"

[F]riends have been so important to my growth and survival.
~Thulani Davis

**A...

What I Want: Day 9 of 100 Days

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:02:01 EST

Day Nine's focus is "Here's What I Want." Before we can ask others to help us on this journey, we need to know what we want from others. Do we want others to police our food, or would we rather have others be more encouraging? Do we want someone to be honest with us when we go off track or gain wait? Do we want others to notice our accomplishments, weight losses, and other changes? What is most helpful to your success?
<...

You Don't Want to Go There: Day 8 of 100 Days

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:22:16 EST

The topic for today is "Help Me, Please!"... we need to tell our loved ones and support system just how they can be supportive to us. This requires you to know what you want from others. Weight Watchers tells us that "asking for help" from others is an important tool. Some persons may need someone who is completely honest. Others need a soft approach, and they may only want to hear from you when they are meeting their goals. Most persons don't enjoy having others be their "food police."
...

sunday morning

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:17:50 EST

sitting together
bound by expectant waiting
light streaming within

Affirming My Whole and Peace-filled Self

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:16:04 EST

"Here's what Linda Spangle has in store for us to do today: Tell yourself "I can do it." at least 10 times. Use this to cheerlead yourself through the entire day! In your notebook, write "I can do it because. . ." and then add a few supportive phrases such as "I'm capable of doing anything." Read your phrases often, using them to reinforce your goals and build your enthusiasm. Good luck! Looking forward to your posts."
...

My Goals Are More Important Than Instant Gratification

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 07:59:59 EST

From Betty: Today's topic is to Protect Your Program. It is your job to prevent people or events from pulling you off track. This may require you to avoid situations that you may be too weak to handle. Examples include being offered a favorite dessert that is homemade and made JUST FOR YOU, potluck casseroles and desserts at church, etc. It may even mean protecting yourself from YOU since YOU make the final decision regarding what you put into your mouth! For more information and reflection b...

Put Down That Cupcake! Day 5 of 100 Days

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:58:54 EST

"This is Day Five of Linda Spangle's _100 Days of Weight Loss._ The topic for today is the Magic Notebook. The idea behind this notebook or journal is to gain insight into your eating behaviors and the underlying emotions and events that trigger these behaviors. Knowledge of these behaviors and what anticipated them is very helpful in gaining control over them. Further, when you journal, it helps you stay on track. Linda advises that you can write down any food that comes to mind so you can p...

Two Roads Leading to the Same Destination- Eating My Way to Health

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:24:58 EST

I'm participating in a challenge based on the book 100 Days of Weight Loss by Linda Spangle. You can read my first post for more details.
www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_jo
urnal_individual.asp?blog_id=3443395

100 Days of Weight Loss- Day 4

The goal of this assignment is to describe my narrow road which Spangle says is my plan to reduce my calories and burn more so I can lose weight and my wide road which is my maintenance for living a healthy l...

All In A Meme, a Blog Lovefest At More Than A Bone

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:02:51 EST

Welcome to "All In A Meme." Each week, I'll post a topic. You post your response on your blog and you leave your link on my blog on Wednesdays. See Tuesday's post for more details. This week's assignment is all about blog love. It's about community. This assignment has 3 parts. Please complete task 1. The others are optional:

1) Tell us about 1-3 Spark blog(s) you enjoy reading. This is not a popularity contest. F...

Lara Croft Gets Zen: 100 Days of Weight Loss

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:25:46 EST

Many of you see me as a positive and kind cheerleader and I am. What you haven't seen yet is me, reincarnate Lara Croft with locs. The longer you know me, the sooner you are to discover that I'm not a blow-sunshine-up-your-backside kind of girl. Let me explain. I've made so many mistakes and restarts in my life, I nick-named myself the crash and burn queen. Well you don't survive your own self-destruction by remaining in your dysfunction. At some point you have to answer the question, “Do you...

All In A Meme

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:14:47 EST

Welcome to the More Than A Bone Weekly Meme. Every Tuesday I'll post a topic/theme for you to address on your blog. You have from Wednesday up to the following Tuesday to publish your response. After you've published your response, come back here and leave a link to your response in the comment section for my Wednesday post (I hope you'll comment, too).

I've been participating in memes in the blogosphere for more t...

The Diva Cup Rules!

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:44:52 EST

Let's talk about cycles, specifically our menstrual cycle. Read my friends *Eva's blog about the Diva Cup and the book, Flow. I haven't read the book, but I can tell you about the Diva Cup, a wonderful, green way to deal with your period. After reading Eva's article I knew I wanted to try the cup and lucky me, I won one from my friends at **Feminist Review.

Love my cup! My flow can be heavy so I wasn'...

100 Days of Weight Loss: Assignment #1

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 10:30:26 EST

I have a joined a group of friends in a challenge based on the book, _100 Days of Weight Loss_ by Linda Spangle. Below is my first assignment.

Assignment #1

Make a list of any fears or negative behaviors that have hurt your weight-loss success in the past. Read each one out loud, and then say, "I used to be that way, but now
I'm different." •Then write new endings for them by completing this se...

Fit In The Hills: Taking On 100 Days of Weight Loss

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:55:05 EST

Back in April I formed the First Friday Fit Club at my job. We are group of women who wanted to lose weight and we decided we'd participate in a biggest loser challenge. I wanted more than a pot of money to win. I wanted real support so I formed the group so we could have mini challenges and small prizes along the way. Three weeks before we concluded the challenge, I injured my knee and I've been home since.

Running...

Eating Away The Pounds

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:03:42 EST

It helps me to hear how members have found ways to be successful. I know
plenty about what are our triggers or struggles but anyone who is enjoying more success than setbacks has learned a thing or two. What works for you? Here are a few things that are working for me:

1) Mindset: slow and steady means keeping it off longer.

2) Eliminating processed foods from my diet. I'm not a purist b...

More Than A Bone MeMe Wednesday

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:20:50 EST

Here's our first More Than A Bone meme. List ten things that you love that start with a letter of your choice.

Feel free to tag someone with the meme. Participation is voluntary. If you post your response on your blog, please leave a link here in the comments.

Ten things I love that start with the letter A:

Autumn- It is my favorite season. It's also a season of loss.

Assona...

What I Want: Contemplations Beyond Food

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:16:40 EST

What Do I Want?

I want to save the plant
so that my babies' babies will have
clean air to breathe and trees
to sit under and fruit to eat.

I want science not evolution.
I want us to be stewards of
heaven on this Earth. I'm not
ready to be added to the endangered
species list just yet.

I want environmental policies that
promote sustainable urba...

Ordering: "One Knee To Go, Please"!

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:44:30 EST

When I got call from the doctor's office with the news that my MRI came back and it looks like I have a hairline fracture, I was just about ready to fall out in the middle of the floor and cut up like a five-year-old. I want my knee back. I want to get out of the house. I want to exercise. I want. I want. I want.

Let me back up. A few Sundays back I was at the gym. Great workout and to top it off I asked a traine...

Confessions of a Foodie: Eating Fat and Losing Weight

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:18:23 EST

Not long ago I watched "Christina Cooks" (PBS). She cooks only vegetarian and on one particular show she talked about losing weight and guess what, she was frying food. Yep. And she frankly said that too many people are starving themselves to obesity by cutting out all fat from their diets. She talked about how we need fat in our diet and that frying food and adding fat helps in breaking down nutrients inour food. Nothing was saturated in oil or greasy.