This past weekend was a little difficult while traveling.
On Friday I had a great vegan lunch at an out of the way, local restaurant called Johnny Mango’s. I had a side of rice, a fresh corn and basil salad and lentils with ginger and lemon. It was very delicious and filling.
Unfortunately this was the last complete meal I had until I returned home Sunday afternoon.
The hotel only served set entree’s and everything included meat or cheese. I lived on bananas, oranges. a few nuts, and organic raisins. And, lots of water.
Lunch at the workshop was grilled veggies, but I wasn’t feeling well and didn’t eat a lot. By the middle of the day I had the beginnings of a migraine headache that was in full bloom by the time I returned to the hotel later that evening. At that point even the thought of food turned my stomach.
I missed having coffee and I missed having a glass of wine while we were out Friday night.
But, even while I missed them, I felt good. I am honoring my commitment to myself and that is very empowering.
I am changing my relationship with food and recognizing some things are just habit. I’ve lost nine pounds, although that wasn’t why I started this, and I feel better. I feel lighter and healthier.
There are still lots of recipes I haven’t had time to try that I am looking forward to after the cleanse.
My goal is to not be as strict after the 21-days, but to continue to avoid sugar and limit caffeine and flour products.
For right now I am taking it one day, one meal at a time, enjoying new foods and feeling good.
Working for myself isn’t just about making money, it’s about living a different lifestyle.
When I began dreaming about that lifestyle (again) a few days ago I began thinking about how many things I wouldn’t have to deal with anymore. Then I asked myself how much all those things cost, which led me to ask, “How much could I save if I quit my day j-o-b?”
Here is the answer I came up with…
Commute:
360 miles per week @ 23.5 mpg = 15.3 gallons of gas @ an average of $2.45 per gallon.
$37.53 per week plus 10% for wear and tear = $41.29 per week
Total per year = $2146.83
Coffee ‘treats’ and eating out for lunch:
3x week Starbucks run = $14.65 per week
3x week lunch = $28.50 per week
Total per year = $2243.80
“Work” clothes (If I worked for me my wardrobe would do double duty and be more casual):
The first three days were really difficult as I battled a daily caffeine withdrawal headache. Then days four and five I was overcome with fatigue. But by day six I was feeling pretty good and by day seven I felt really good.
I usually start my day with a walk in the park with my husband. The park opens at 6am and it is nice way to start the day.
Then home for breakfast before I have to get ready for work. I usually have oatmeal for breakfast with dash of organic agave or maple syrup, potatoes with peppers and onions or scrambled tofu.
For a mid-morning snack I will have fresh fruit. For lunch homemade soup and/or a big, fresh salad. For salad dressing I use a little olive oil and apple cider vinegar with a dash or two of Braggs amino acids. This weeks soup were Garlic and Collard Greens and Vegan Bean.
For dinner I usually have steamed veggies, like asparagus, brussel sprouts or broccoli, maybe corn on the cob, a baked yam, or some brown rice.
During the day I try to drink lots of water. If I am craving a cup of coffee or English Breakfast tea, I’ll have a cup of peppermint or ginger tea instead.
As much as this is a ‘cleanse’, for me it is really about learning to take care of myself in the midst of a hectic lifestyle and working to change my relationship with food. As the old saying goes, I want to “eat to live, not live to eat”.
A little side note: My husband is doing the ‘cleanse’ with me and loving it. Loving it because he is enjoying all the great food in the house and all the new recipes I am trying. But, he cheats, too, eating pretzels and cereal and a fresh roll now and again. He still has his coffee every morning, but had tea with me on our Sunday morning ‘date’. He has been very supportive, and that makes it easier for me. He has lost ten pounds and I have lost five. Not bad.
Basically this is what I am doing…
Avoiding alcohol (easy)
Avoiding caffeine (hard)
Drinking lots of water
Eating plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables
Enjoying a variety of beans, grains and rice
Avoiding flour products, including bread and pasta(very hard)
No processed foods of any kind-no snacks, soda, candy, canned or boxed foods
When I was born
My daddy said I was broken
Beginning of the end
To a life I hadn’t chosen
He taught me how to give up
He taught me how to work the system
But I never had the time
And never had the luxury
Life’s hard
I’ve always known that
Never been handed no welcome mat
When I die
Please don’t cry
‘Cause heaven’s my home anyhow
Shinin’ my shoes
Feels like time for wasting
‘Cause this bright sun
Is the only shine I need
They say you only live once
That the light you get’s for keeping
But glory’s gonna come
And make a new man outta me
Life’s hard
I’ve always known that
Never been handed no welcome mat
When I die
Please don’t cry
‘Cause heaven’s my home anyhow
When I was born
My face was like the angels
I took my father by the hand
And said “Life won’t be hard now”
Life’s hard
I’ve always known that
Never been handed no welcome mat
When I die
Please don’t cry
‘Cause heaven’s my home anyhow.
With all that is happening on the home front I was a few days behind on my emails.
Today I discovered an email from my friend Connie at Dirty Footprints Studio from yesterday. She had tagged me. Meaning I was next in line to post a photo and tell a story about it.
Tag 913: (my friend and 21-day cleanse buddy Sandi Lei was 912)
1. Open your first photo folder.
2. Scroll to the 10th photo.
3. Post the photo on your blog and tell the story behind it.
4. Tag some CREATIVE JUICY people to do the same!
I love the number ten, my birthday is 10-10. So here is the 10th photo in my first photo folder (please remember I’ve only had my digital camera a few months)…
My Story:
In 2007 I was desperate for space of my own, a private sanctuary to dream and to write. I was tired of finding a corner here and there.
But, converting the spare bedroom into a home office was a HUGE undertaking. Sorting and getting rid of years of accumulation, books, papers, and just junk was a monumental task. Plus, my husband needed his space, too.
We talked about it and we decided to tackle the two spare bedrooms at the same time converting them into a his and her home office.
I dreaded the project. I like imagining and dreaming about home improvement projects a lot lot more than I actually like doing them.
We took it one baby step at a time and over the next twelve months we sorted books and papers, throwing things away, cleaning, patching, painting, staining, and decorating. Some days I thought we’d never finish.
But, in the end, it all worked out. He had his home office and I had my dream office, a sanctuary designed by me, for me.
It’s just like I always imagined it to be…thick, deeply colored carpeting, light colored walls, exposed, natural wood trim, natural light, glass and steel accents, pictures, art and books.
Special, loving thanks goes out to my husband, Bob, for understanding what having my own office would mean to me, for being so kind and generous when I was grumbling and complaining about things not moving along faster, for helping me put my new furniture together when I wanted to do it myself, but had no clue how, for buying me fresh roses to keep on my desk and for supporting my dreams.
