Monday, December 3, 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook, December 3, 2012


For today...Monday, December 3, 2012
Outside my window...it's been dark for a while now and dry. The temperature was milder today than last week. It could have been an April day.
I am thinking...about how grateful I am that a potential banking problem was avoided!
I am thankful...for the electric space heater in our living room that keeps us comfortable.
In the kitchen...there was leftover pizza that is now on my plate as I type this. :)
I am wearing...a fleece cardigan-type jacket. Soft and warm.
I am creating...ideas about how to be consistently on task. For me, that doesn't mean the same number of tasks per day, etc., but I'm looking for ways to be productive on the majority of days even when energy levels change due to the fibromyalgia. I'm thinking about boundaries and margin and making sure I take the occasional day(s) of rest as needed.
I am going...to try to remember to do my Daybook more often!
I am wondering...what gifts to buy for Christmas.
I am hoping...the weather will be good next week for our trip to pick up our two college students from the airport -- *next week*! I can't wait!
I am hearing...the space heater cranking out warmth while our two cats are sleeping all curled up on the couch beside me.
I am looking forward to...everyone being together for the Christmas break.
Around the house...it is quiet. Time for relaxation.
A favorite quote for today...(I love this one!) "Always kiss your children goodnight, even if they're already asleep" -  H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
One of my favorite things...is leftover pizza!
A few plans for the rest of the week...work, mailing packages, laundry, a doctor's appointment for a recheck after bronchitis last week.
A picture thought I am sharing...


       This picture of our cats was taken six years ago!
Enjoy these early December days!


To read more Daybooks or to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.
                                                    

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday - Healthy Eating Resources




Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings


My "Top Ten" things about eating healthier!

My family has recently changed our eating habits as we transition to a plant-based, whole foods, healthier way of eating. I'm still learning and adapting (and sometimes resisting), but I know it's the best thing to do for myself and my loved ones. I'd like to share some of what I've learned with you. My husband and I have both lost weight, and my cholesterol readings have improved. :)



1.  It all started with the "Forks Over Knives" DVD. That's what really convinced my family and I about changing our eating habits. What a wealth of information! There's no way to deny the facts, the improved blood test results, or the x-rays showing a damaged artery that could not be fixed by surgery now healthy and normal, all due to eating a plant-based, whole foods diet ('diet' as in 'way of eating'). This DVD will open your eyes to what true healthful eating is all about. You can view the trailer of the DVD here.

 
2.  Dr. T. Colin Campbell and his book "The China Study" were featured in the "Forks Over Knives" DVD. Well worth reading. Click here for his website.








3.  Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn Jr. and his book "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease" were also featured in "Forks Over Knives." Excellent information! His recommendations for healthy eating, based on the success of heart patients who were given up to die, yet are alive and well over twenty years later (as you will see in the DVD), follow the guidelines of vegan eating (no meat or dairy products) and also eliminate oils, nuts, and avocados. Click here for his website. His wife Ann shares "8 Principles for Becoming Plant Perfect" at this website.


Check your local library to see if they carry these books and/or the DVD or can order them for you on an interlibrary loan. I think you'll be glad you did!





4.  Rip Esselstyn (son of Dr. Esselstyn Jr.) and the Engine 2 Diet were featured in "Forks Over Knives," too. If you have the idea that not eating meat will cause you to become weak, pay special attention to Rip's portion of the DVD.


5.  Let's say that you've watched the DVD and read both of the books I recommended earlier in this post. Where do you go from here? Since I am not a health professional, I will now recommend that you discuss your health needs with your doctor. That said, if you make an informed decision to change your eating habits, I would like to echo Dr. Esselstyn's advice. He recommends trying new recipes over the course of three months and finding ones that you like. Having a list of recipes you'll make again will prove to be invaluable to you when it comes time to plan meals and shopping lists.


6.  You might want to just start with your breakfasts and change what you eat on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for example. Instead of ordering coffee and a donut, you could order oatmeal and juice, or you might prefer staying at home for some green tea and your own homemade oatmeal with fruit and spices. Try that for a week or two, and then move on to your lunch options. Or start with your dinners - whatever is easiest for you. You can combine convenience and healthy eating; there are many resources online to help you with quick, tasty recipes. Since I don't really like to cook and my taste buds are still getting used to the change in diet, I will admit to being reluctant about this way of eating, but I've also learned from the DVD, the books I recommended, and the many informative websites I've looked at, that this change in eating will result in an improved change in my health and my family's health. Living longer and living healthier is worth it!


7.  You'll find easy recipes with photos and even videos at the Happy Herbivore (Lindsay Nixon's) website. Her cookbooks are said to be excellent and very helpful to those starting out. We've enjoyed Lindsay's Black Bean Burgers. You can even type in up to three ingredients on the recipe index page, and Lindsay's site will recommend recipes for you. :)




8.  Another doctor you'll see in "Forks Over Knives" is John McDougall. His website is full of information and recipes that will help you along in this new way of eating and living healthier.


9.  Facebook - yes, Facebook - can be a real help to you as you search not only for recipes but for support. The Happy Herbivore has a facebook page. There's even a page for happy herbivores of advanced aged like me. :) As you search online for vegan, plant-based, whole foods recipes, look on those websites for links to their Facebook pages. You'll see new information and recipes as quickly as they post them to Facebook. Easy!


10.  Pinterest, an online 'bulletin board' of sorts where you can 'pin' things you like, is another resource for healthier eating with boards by Forks Over Knives, Rip Esselstyn's Engine 2 Diet, My Vegan Journal, and so many more. There's even a video by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn Jr. on how to  "Make yourself heart-attack proof."

I know I've reached 10 things, but here are two more. :)


11.  You may want to invest in a good food processor. We bought one at Walmart for around $30. It comes in handy for making the no-tahini roasted red pepper hummus recipe in Dr. Esselstyn's "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease" book.


12.  Whenever you change a habit you've had for a long time, such as eating foods that are not healthy for your body, there can be some questions and problems such as "What can I substitute for certain ingredients?" or "What recipes have others tried and liked?" For some advice, recipes, and meal photos, check out my youngest daughter's new blog Vegan Problems. I believe you'll be inspired to improve your eating habits!

Eat healthy, plant-based, whole foods
and enjoy the benefits to your health!
-----
If you have a "Top Ten" list to share,
click here to learn how you can participate!

Monday, July 16, 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook, July 16, 2012

                               

Outside my window...sunny, humid, and hot!

I am thinking...about how warm it was in my office this morning.

I am thankful...for the air conditioner in our living room!

In the kitchen...there are leftover grilled veggies my husband cooked yesterday. They'll go on fake 'chicken' burgers and whole wheat buns for dinner tonight. Yum!

I am wearing...my hair up in a clip. Trying to stay cool!

I am creating...nothing at the moment. It's good to take a rest. [Update: Today (Tuesday), I created a blog post sharing some excellent resources that we've been using lately as we eat healthier. You can see that post here.]

I am going...to poke about on the computer. :)

I am wondering...what to make for dinner this week.

I am hoping...that the over the counter meds I took for the fibromyalgia pain will help soon.

I am hearing...the whirr of the ceiling fan, the fan in front of the air conditioner, and the small fan cooling off my laptop!

I am looking forward to...cooler weather later this week.

Around the house...the cats are sleeping.

A favorite quote for today...(here are two!) "Don't waste another day being bitter. Each day is a gift from God; use it wisely" - Joyce Meyer; "It's never too late - never too late to start over, never too late to be happy." - Unknown

One of my favorite things...is having a quick, easy dinner to make!

A few plans for the rest of the week...phone calls, hotel reservations for our trip next month, laundry...

A picture thought I am sharing...



One of my first pictures with my camera phone!


Enjoy your summer days!



                                                To read more Daybooks or to participate,
                                                     visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday - Reasons to Love Summer



Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings


My "Top Ten" reasons to love summer!


1.  Sunshine!

2.  Flip flops! So comfy.

3.  Mmm...watermelon. Just the smell of it means summer. :) Check out this cute watermelon cake from Bird on a Cake!



4.  Being able to just walk out the door (with my flip flops on, of course) without having to layer on a heavy coat, snow boots, and gloves. I really enjoy that every summer.

5.  Air conditioning in the car and in our living room. Worth every penny.

6.  My favorite beach! Jenness Beach in Rye, New Hampshire. Has anyone else been there?


Photo by Ann Cummings of Ann Cummings and Jim Lee, Realtors,
at
this website

7.  A summer memory from my youth...


Delicious fried clams with the bellies!
Photo from the Hampton Beach (New Hampshire) Seafood Festival's
facebook page

8.  Ice cream. 'Nuff said. :)

9.  Long hours of daylight. Such a treat after the short daylight of winter!

10.  And last but not least...the smell of


Coppertone suntan lotion!
No other suntan lotion/sunscreen smells right to me.
It definitely means summer!

I hope you all have a wonderful summer.

If you have a "Top Ten" list to share,
click here to learn how you can participate!

Monday, July 9, 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook, July 9, 2012

                                                    

Outside my window...it is a beautiful day! Sunny, a little breezy, and not too warm.

I am thinking...that the summer is going by too fast!

I am thankful...for our daughters being home from college for the summer.

In the kitchen...there are lots of dishes from a lot of cooking this weekend.

I am wearing...new shorts and a new top. :)

I am creating...this blog post. :)

I am going...to be in and out of the house a lot today. Four people with jobs and one car means a lot of driving! I'm grateful that we have those jobs.

I am wondering...how to do some things on my inexpensive new cell phone, a $19.99 special from tracfone, double minutes!

I am hoping...that the fibromyalgia pain that has increased so much today will calm down.

I am hearing...the whirr of the small fan I have to run near my laptop (the fan in the laptop doesn't work).

I am looking forward to...learning how to take a picture on my cell phone.

Around the house...it is quiet and cool. I like that.

A favorite quote for today..."God can use an ordinary life to bring extraordinary blessings into the world." - Max Lucado

One of my favorite things...is reading.

A few plans for the rest of the week...getting everyone (and myself) to and from work. It's a busy time.

A picture thought I am sharing...

                   

       Yum! Fried clams with whole bellies. So good!
       Photo from Hampton Beach (NH) Seafood Festival facebook page.

    To read more Daybooks or to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Going vegan? Here's some help!

My husband and I began changing our eating habits after seeing the film "Forks Over Knives." If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it. Now that our daughters are home from college for the summer, they are sharing our vegan meals and helping us try out new recipes.

Along the way to eating vegan, we've run across some snags - how to spot vegan foods, what to do when you're eating out or getting coffee at a drive-through, what to use instead of oil/milk/eggs, etc. If you're looking to change your eating habits and would like to navigate around those issues, check out my youngest daughter's new blog Vegan Problems. She shares solutions to the vegan problems that come up in learning a new and healthier way of eating. You'll find practical and smart ways to handle the everyday changes needed to eat healthy, whole foods, plant based, vegan foods. I'm looking forward to her posts. I know I'll learn a lot!


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook, March 20, 2012



Click here to see how you can join the Daybook!



FOR TODAY

Outside my window... the sun is out, and it's supposed to be in the seventies today! I will be looking for my flip flops. :)

I am thinking... about the unexpected, current lack of money to move to another state like we'd wanted to and wondering if there are any other options.

I am thankful... for salvation, for Jesus, for my family.

In the kitchen... are dishes waiting for me.

I am wearing... a pink short-sleeved top and black slacks.

I am creating... this blog post! :)

I am going... to hopefully hear God speak about the moving situation.

I am wondering... about things that I feel I cannot do anything about, but the reality is that I can still pray about those things.

I am reading... books on my Kindle 4 (the basic Kindle). I've had it for almost a month now.

I am hoping... that God will prepare the hearts and minds of all of us in our family to adapt to whatever the final outcome will be as far as moving this summer or having to wait one more year.

I am looking forward to... moving to another state one day, hopefully sooner than later.

I am learning... and relearning how impatient and selfish I feel sometimes.

Around the house... there is so much to be done!

I am pondering... options for what happens if we stay here one more year before moving. I don't like thinking about such things because it feels very much like I've given up hope of moving this summer, and I don't want to do that. Yet I do find myself thinking about those things. And praying.

A favorite quote for today... For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

One of my favorite things... beautiful spring days like this!

A few plans for the rest of the week... nothing out of the ordinary, just working, etc. Maybe we'll book airfare for when our youngest comes home from college in May. :)

A peek into my day...



I found my flip flops! :)