Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Making Changes

I'm trying to maintain the reasons behind why I started this blog. The last few years haven't been easy nor have I been following through with my beliefs on food, eating, and creating.  I am the heaviest I have even been and for some reason, I can't seem to change my bad habits, or stop eating my trigger foods.  I was talking to a friend who lost some weight and she is doing a pretty strict weight loss program.  I can't remember exactly why she is doing, but what I do remember is that the foods she  not allowed seem to be my trigger foods. I joined in a 21 days of clean eating group on a blog written by a friend over at "Journey Toward Simplicity".  I haven't been all that great doing the complete clean eating, but it has made me think about what I am doing. 

I need to start eating clean more often. My goal with this blog was exactly that.  I wanted to start making my own food, eating out less,  and eating healthy foods that are actually found in nature. My problem is, I start off doing well, but never seem to last more than a very short time. I need to really pay attention to what my body is saying and give it what it needs, not what I think it is craving.  I'm sure my body is never really craving a hot fudge sundae from my local ice cream store (though I don't think its bad once in a while). I'm sure its craving a certain nutrient or a certain emotion, but not that food that I know is not healthy.

Our garden is planted and is finally starting to look good.  We've had some bizarre weather here in MA.  Winter seemed to go on forever, and even now, the weather is cooler than I think it usually is. I am not complaining.  I am actually loving the high 70's low 80's with cool nights. I am not a gardener, so I have no idea how or if the weather is affecting  my garden.  My Red Russian Kale is coming along well and I should be able to harvest soon, and I'm looking forward to it!

I also need to get back to being creative more often, but also actually finishing a project.  I can' keep starting a project and not finishing them. I need to start following my idea of upcycling and not always buying new.  I need to start remembering what I want out of my creative life and follow through. 

 I know that these changes aren't going to happen overnight, but I just need to keep pushing forward and remember to not beat myself up when I don't follow through.  I need to just get back up, brush myself off and start again!

Amy

P.S. My LICSW test is in 2 weeks.  I need to continue studying and I need to and ill pass this exam! I am hoping that will open up more avenues for me.  I can't wait to take the test and see the words "you passed".  Wish me luck and keep me in your thought and prayers!

Monday, June 16, 2014

Getting Back

When I first started writing this blog, I wrote often. As time has gone by and the kids have gotten older, I seem to be backing off writing, probably due to time constraints. Not only have I backed off writing, I have also backed off reading some my favorite blogs. My goal is to get back to writing and following through with my goals for starting this blog.

I am in the process of studying for my LICSW exam. I have about 3 weeks left before I need to take the exam and when I pass, I will have my highest clinical license and be done with my Social Work exams.  I'm thinking that I won't be starting to write and read posts more often until I take my exam. I want to get my focus back on my goals so that once I pass the exam, I can start writing again.

We have started our garden.  This year, our garden doesn't seem to be starting off as well as we would like.  Our tomato plants seem to be going well, nut we seem to have lost a lot of our cucumber plants.  I did try potatoes again this year and I believe I am doing it the right way this time.  I am also trying onions and garlic this year for the very first time. I am really excited to see how things grow.  Our weather this year has been odd.  it seems like it has been cold a lot longer than normal. I'm trying not to be impatient, bit I really want to be able to go out and pick my own veggies from my own garden.

One of the things that I need to work on, is my food addiction issue.  I am slowly realizing that this is a bigger problem than I like to think about and admit to.  My focus is going to be trying to eat healthier and figure out what my food triggers are. Having a good garden in my backyard will hopefully make that easier.

I am looking forward to returning to writing once things settle done after my exam.  wish me luck, because I am going to pass the first time I take it!

Amy