Ok... I'm not sure if there's a question here at all, or if it's just some thoughts and musings about my "situation."
So I've been Primal for some 3 years or so. I really don't know. It's my lifestyle now.
Generally non-Primal foods aren't an issue. I don't find myself jonesing for bread, pasta or cake (usually.) Do I indulge occasionally? Sure... ice cream once or twice a month. Rice a few times a year. Other grains even less often. I know my gut really doesn't like wheat, so it's easy to avoid. When it comes to eating Primal, I'm set.
Exercise... I've not been in any sort of "routine" for probably a year or more. Part of it is boredom and lack of motivation to do stuff at home. Part of it more recently is just being too damn busy. 40-50 hours a week of work, and 12 Credit Hours of school.
I don't sleep and play nearly enough.
Over the last couple of years, having quit running 45 mpw and busting my ass at the gym, I've gradually gained 25 lbs, going from size 6 jeans to about a size 9/10. Sure, I'm annoyed.
I got to thinking about people who are new to Primal. They switch to Primal eating and the weight practically falls off. I switched to Primal from a point of seriously over-exercising and under-eating. I think over the last 3 years I'd been doing my best to maintain that awful imbalance. Stop being a food/exercise Nazi and you gain weight.
So here I am... 25 lbs heavier, eating what I want, when I want. I weigh a couple times a week. I don't track my food at all. If I want meat, I eat meat. If I want carbs, I eat carbs. Hell, if I want ice cream or rice... I wait til Saturday and if I still want it, I have it.
Exercise is circumstantial- standing throughout the workday (because it's a factory) and lifting/carrying the occasional heavy spool or pallet. Fridays I still swing my 12lb club before lunch. Besides that... not so much. Do I like it? Not really. I would love to hit the gym every day and do "real" workouts, but that's not my life right now.
My thought is this, and I could be wrong...
Take the time now of not really working out and eating fairly freely to "heal" my body and get it right with itself. Eventually it'll find a balance between food intake and weight, right? My body will adjust to however much I'm eating, then should level out, so long as I stay Primal and provide lots of nourishment. I may gain a little more. I may get a little bigger, but it's ok because I'm essentially "resetting" my system. Then I can work on losing the extra fat the RIGHT way, not struggling to maintain CW weight loss on a Primal diet.
This is the experiment. If it fails, it fails. Truth be told I don't know what "success" or "failure" looks like. It's just my life right now and I'm not about to judge my Primal "worth" by how much I've lost (or gained.) It's the journey that's important and I can tell you right now I feel 1000 times healthier than I did when I was 25 pounds lighter. That, I suppose, has to count for something.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Foodie Find: GoldenStar Coconut Milk
It's a common complaint in the Primal/Paleo world that you can't find coconut milk without additives- usually guar gum. It was just one of those things, if you want coconut milk bad enough you either suck it up and accept the guar gum, or make your own. Even the expensive organic brands add guar gum. Such a pity.
A few weeks back word began to spread about this miraculous new coconut milk that is just that, with nothing extra. Could this be true!? Surely it can't be, and if it can, it must be hard to find and expensive!
NOPE.
Get this... GoldenStar Coconut Milk.
It contains 2 ingredients. Coconut milk and water. That's it.
Amazing, huh?
And get this... you can find it at none other than WALMART! For $1.29 a can! No joke.
Now, I'm not typically a Walmart shopper. Truth be told I get irritated just pulling into the parking lot, and my aggravation typically builds as I enter the building. However, if they offer a better can of coconut milk for a better price, I'll make the trip. Oh the things I'll do for food.
I was curious about the company, so I looked them up online. I certainly wasn't looking for Tropical Traditions quality coconut products (being that it's sold at Walmart) and indeed I didn't exactly find it. But that's okay.
According to the Golden Star Trading Inc. website they were founded in California in 1985. Yes, they have ties to Kellogg's and really they say fairly little on their "about us" page.
I guess for what it's worth, I could pay more for a certified "Organic" brand with added guar gum, or pay less for a conventional additive-free brand. I opted for the latter. The key deciding factor?
It tastes better.
Yup, it definitely tastes better. More coconut per serving perhaps? I don't know, but I like it. One neat thing was opening a can, and instead of separated coconut "stuff" and oil, it was just a thick, gloppy cream. The texture reminded me of slightly melted ice cream. It was addictive and wonderful!
Until Tropical Traditions makes canned coconut milk, I'm sticking with Morning Star. Even if it means the occasional excursion to Wally World.
UPDATE: I received an e-mail today from a woman named Anita Long from Golden Star Trading Company. She was happy to see that I was sharing their product on my blog and told me some really great stuff about their company.
"So you know Golden Star is a family run business that started in 1985 with Jasmine rice. Since then, we have expanded our line to include all kinds of rice (Calrose, Basmati, Long Grain), canned fruits & vegetables and Asian items like Coconut Milk. All of our items are all natural and packed at harvest season. We are a firm believer that as a family feeding other families we must put the very best out there." (I especially like this last bit.)
A few weeks back word began to spread about this miraculous new coconut milk that is just that, with nothing extra. Could this be true!? Surely it can't be, and if it can, it must be hard to find and expensive!
NOPE.
It contains 2 ingredients. Coconut milk and water. That's it.
Amazing, huh?
And get this... you can find it at none other than WALMART! For $1.29 a can! No joke.
Now, I'm not typically a Walmart shopper. Truth be told I get irritated just pulling into the parking lot, and my aggravation typically builds as I enter the building. However, if they offer a better can of coconut milk for a better price, I'll make the trip. Oh the things I'll do for food.
I was curious about the company, so I looked them up online. I certainly wasn't looking for Tropical Traditions quality coconut products (being that it's sold at Walmart) and indeed I didn't exactly find it. But that's okay.
According to the Golden Star Trading Inc. website they were founded in California in 1985. Yes, they have ties to Kellogg's and really they say fairly little on their "about us" page.
I guess for what it's worth, I could pay more for a certified "Organic" brand with added guar gum, or pay less for a conventional additive-free brand. I opted for the latter. The key deciding factor?
It tastes better.
Yup, it definitely tastes better. More coconut per serving perhaps? I don't know, but I like it. One neat thing was opening a can, and instead of separated coconut "stuff" and oil, it was just a thick, gloppy cream. The texture reminded me of slightly melted ice cream. It was addictive and wonderful!
Until Tropical Traditions makes canned coconut milk, I'm sticking with Morning Star. Even if it means the occasional excursion to Wally World.
UPDATE: I received an e-mail today from a woman named Anita Long from Golden Star Trading Company. She was happy to see that I was sharing their product on my blog and told me some really great stuff about their company.
"So you know Golden Star is a family run business that started in 1985 with Jasmine rice. Since then, we have expanded our line to include all kinds of rice (Calrose, Basmati, Long Grain), canned fruits & vegetables and Asian items like Coconut Milk. All of our items are all natural and packed at harvest season. We are a firm believer that as a family feeding other families we must put the very best out there." (I especially like this last bit.)
I'm proud to be using Golden Star's products and have decided to make it the official coconut milk of The Wilderness Childe blog. Now whenever you see a recipe calling for coconut milk, you can be sure it was Golden Star that I used.
I will be receiving some goodies from Golden Star to try out soon, so check back to see what other great products they have to offer and how I use them!
I will be receiving some goodies from Golden Star to try out soon, so check back to see what other great products they have to offer and how I use them!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Meaning of Life
The meaning of life. Well now there's a big question to ponder!
Joseph Campbell said: "People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive. That's what it's all finally about."
That is one of my absolute favorite quotes.
These last couple of years have been largely about finding my purpose. I had quit college several years ago and been working to make ends meet, not knowing what to do with my life. During that time I began my weight loss journey and the result sparked in me a passion for food, nutrition, fitness and a desire to help people live in a healthier, happier way.
I think my purpose in life is to help and inspire people. That's the thing I can do to give back to the world and hopefully do my part to leave the world a better place than I came into. That might be my purpose, but I'm not sure that it is the total meaning of life.
The meaning of life might include following my bliss. Another great quote comes to mind-
"If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Wherever you are—if you are following your bliss, you are enjoying that refreshment, that life within you, all the time." -Joseph Campbell
That means me giving back to the world and doing the work that aligns with my spirit, but I think there's more to it than that. I also think that finding meaning in life is about learning what life is trying to teach you.
The way I see it, life is a lot like going to school, and each lifetime is another grade level. The things we experience and learn will determine if we graduate to the next leve. So when I wonder, "What am I doing with my life?" I am also asking if I am living life to its fullest. Am I getting everything possible out of every moment? Am I experiencing life? Am I putting enough into my relationships and taking away valuable spiritual lessons?
Even now in this phase of my life- working, going to school, searching out a meaningful and long-lasting relationship. Even in the most mundane things I try to find purpose and meaning. I think that when I can do that, no matter what I'm doing, I can find joy.
Joseph Campbell said: "People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive. That's what it's all finally about."
That is one of my absolute favorite quotes.
These last couple of years have been largely about finding my purpose. I had quit college several years ago and been working to make ends meet, not knowing what to do with my life. During that time I began my weight loss journey and the result sparked in me a passion for food, nutrition, fitness and a desire to help people live in a healthier, happier way.
I think my purpose in life is to help and inspire people. That's the thing I can do to give back to the world and hopefully do my part to leave the world a better place than I came into. That might be my purpose, but I'm not sure that it is the total meaning of life.
The meaning of life might include following my bliss. Another great quote comes to mind-
"If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Wherever you are—if you are following your bliss, you are enjoying that refreshment, that life within you, all the time." -Joseph Campbell
That means me giving back to the world and doing the work that aligns with my spirit, but I think there's more to it than that. I also think that finding meaning in life is about learning what life is trying to teach you.
The way I see it, life is a lot like going to school, and each lifetime is another grade level. The things we experience and learn will determine if we graduate to the next leve. So when I wonder, "What am I doing with my life?" I am also asking if I am living life to its fullest. Am I getting everything possible out of every moment? Am I experiencing life? Am I putting enough into my relationships and taking away valuable spiritual lessons?
Even now in this phase of my life- working, going to school, searching out a meaningful and long-lasting relationship. Even in the most mundane things I try to find purpose and meaning. I think that when I can do that, no matter what I'm doing, I can find joy.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Spaghetti in a Cement Mixer
My brain keeps rambling. I'm trying to not be overwhelmed by life. My mind is a pile of spaghetti, rolling around in a cement mixer.
I can't keep up with school. I'm afraid I'm going to mess it up.
Why don't my jeans fit!? I can't believe I've gained weight.
I need to eat less and exercise more.
Yeah, right. When the hell am I going to make it to the gym? I have no time to clean my house, let alone work out at 6:30 am. I wish I could sleep in just one day this week.
I have to remember to do yoga tonight. I shouldn't stay up so late so I can do it in the morning.
Maybe I'll just do breathing exercises instead.
How the hell am I going to handle this when I get to the really hard stuff? Anatomy, biology? I'm going to die.
Did I pay my rent?
Crap, I have to take care of dishes. How the hell does my kitchen get so messed up?
I can't wait til Soul Full on Friday. I need a night off.
Mmm... chocolate...
No wonder my jeans don't fit.
There has to be a way to get back into my size 6's. I should start running again. If I bust ass I can be in shape for Wickerman by May.
I wish I could afford a real gym.
I wish I could afford the rest of my tattoos.
I need more overtime. I don't get to sleep in anyways. I need about 3 more hours in my day, or 3 more dollars in my pay.
When is our next holiday. I need a vacation.
An island somewhere would be nice. Full of coconuts and bacon.
I could really go for some ice cream right about now... coconut bacon ice cream.
Hey, now there's a cool blog idea! If only I had the time to experiment with it. Maybe when I get to the weekend.
Crap, it's 11:00 already!? Guess it's gonna be another short night...
I can't keep up with school. I'm afraid I'm going to mess it up.
Why don't my jeans fit!? I can't believe I've gained weight.
I need to eat less and exercise more.
Yeah, right. When the hell am I going to make it to the gym? I have no time to clean my house, let alone work out at 6:30 am. I wish I could sleep in just one day this week.
I have to remember to do yoga tonight. I shouldn't stay up so late so I can do it in the morning.
Maybe I'll just do breathing exercises instead.
How the hell am I going to handle this when I get to the really hard stuff? Anatomy, biology? I'm going to die.
Did I pay my rent?
Crap, I have to take care of dishes. How the hell does my kitchen get so messed up?
I can't wait til Soul Full on Friday. I need a night off.
Mmm... chocolate...
No wonder my jeans don't fit.
There has to be a way to get back into my size 6's. I should start running again. If I bust ass I can be in shape for Wickerman by May.
I wish I could afford a real gym.
I wish I could afford the rest of my tattoos.
I need more overtime. I don't get to sleep in anyways. I need about 3 more hours in my day, or 3 more dollars in my pay.
When is our next holiday. I need a vacation.
An island somewhere would be nice. Full of coconuts and bacon.
I could really go for some ice cream right about now... coconut bacon ice cream.
Hey, now there's a cool blog idea! If only I had the time to experiment with it. Maybe when I get to the weekend.
Crap, it's 11:00 already!? Guess it's gonna be another short night...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Foodie Find: Sweet Potato Pasta!
I found the neatest thing at the Asian market. My disappointment at not getting durian was replaced with glee at finding pasta made from sweet potato starch!I never knew such a thing existed, but apparently it does.
It's more carb-heavy than I typically prefer to eat, but it's a wonderful comfort food on a chilly fall night when work and school are taking its toll.
Looking at the numbers, it's almost completely carbohydrates, but the breakdown says zero fiber and zero sugar (obviously, because it's all starch.) If I remember right, starch (especially resistant starch) is a good thing, and that's the starch you find in things like cooled potatoes and unripe bananas. That is, unless a little CW science is lingering in my brain, and then I could be wrong.
It says 200 calories per serving, and 12 servings per bag. The only problem is it's bundled into three 4-serving size bundles, and you have to cook 4 servings at a time. I don't know about you but that totally screws with my brain. I ended up just dividing it in about half- consuming about 400 calories of carbs, at approximately 92 grams... again, all starch. What that means, I have no idea. If any of you can break it down for me, that would be so helpful!Of course I went straight up spaghetti style, though with a definite Primal twist- in the pasta sauce is the rabbit I accidentally hit with my car when coming up the driveway. (Are you really surprised at this?)
This was my first pasta meal in shoot... years. Seriously, YEARS. I barely remember pasta so for me this was close enough to "the real thing." It was chewy, so if you like your pasta aldente, you'll like these. I'm sure if you cook them longer than the recommended 5 minutes, they'd come out squishier. Obviously they look very different than normal pasta. I absolutely love clear noodles though. Maybe it's the novelty of it.
My spaghetti was obviously quite delicious (having been made with a wild bunny and all,) and I'm pleased that there's enough left over for one more meal. As of right now I'm incredibly full, but seem to be digesting just fine. I highly doubt this will become a staple of my diet, but it really is a great treat.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Healthy (and Guilty) Pleasures
Being that it's Sunday morning, and like most people Sunday is my day to relax and center, I decided that a journal entry & blog post on Healthy Pleasures would be appropriate.
I like to think I have this one covered but I know very well I could do much better. There are a lot of pleasurable things I wish I could treat myself more often- massages, manicures, pedicures for example. With working full time and going to school full time, I have so many demands on my time that it's hard to find room for the fun stuff. I've found a need to re-prioritize my time, and if it doesn't matter that much, it's not getting done. Another coping mechanism is to try to find pleasure in the mundane stuff and really make the most of it.
Naturally food and cooking takes up a majority of my list, as does this blog and things pertaining to the blog. I wouldn't be doing any of this if it wasn't in some way enjoyable. My workbook for my Journaling class suggests listing 25 healthy pleasures that you participate in on a regular basis. "Regular basis" is a little bit of a grey area, but I'll just say that it means something I've done more than once, and intend to do more than once in the future...
Ok, 25 Healthy Pleasures:
1) Expensive Dark Chocolate
2) A mud facial
3) Coloring my hair
4) Really. Great. Coffee.
5) Sex!
6) Walking barefoot in the grass
7) Taking a nap with my kitty
8) Cooking!
9) Getting all dolled up (even if it's just to do laundry.)
10) Playing in the rain
11) Bacon day
12) Reading
13) Listening to 90's music or Country music...
14) ... while cleaning my house.
15) Yoga class
16 Hot cocoa...
17) ... and a cozy fire in the fireplace
18) My Friday "Java Therapy" at Soul Full with JP
19) Sleeping (and waking without an alarm.)
20) Getting food- from farm stands, my butcher, my egg farmer, my milk farmer, Ithaca Farmers Market
21) Cheesecake
22) Wing Night with my family
23) Exercise- biking, running, lifting really heavy sh*t.
24) Getting pierced or tattooed
25) Wickerman!
Can you list 25 Healthy Pleasures in your life?
I like to think I have this one covered but I know very well I could do much better. There are a lot of pleasurable things I wish I could treat myself more often- massages, manicures, pedicures for example. With working full time and going to school full time, I have so many demands on my time that it's hard to find room for the fun stuff. I've found a need to re-prioritize my time, and if it doesn't matter that much, it's not getting done. Another coping mechanism is to try to find pleasure in the mundane stuff and really make the most of it.
Naturally food and cooking takes up a majority of my list, as does this blog and things pertaining to the blog. I wouldn't be doing any of this if it wasn't in some way enjoyable. My workbook for my Journaling class suggests listing 25 healthy pleasures that you participate in on a regular basis. "Regular basis" is a little bit of a grey area, but I'll just say that it means something I've done more than once, and intend to do more than once in the future...
Ok, 25 Healthy Pleasures:
1) Expensive Dark Chocolate
2) A mud facial
3) Coloring my hair
4) Really. Great. Coffee.
5) Sex!
6) Walking barefoot in the grass
7) Taking a nap with my kitty
8) Cooking!
9) Getting all dolled up (even if it's just to do laundry.)
10) Playing in the rain
11) Bacon day
12) Reading
13) Listening to 90's music or Country music...
14) ... while cleaning my house.
15) Yoga class
16 Hot cocoa...
17) ... and a cozy fire in the fireplace
18) My Friday "Java Therapy" at Soul Full with JP
19) Sleeping (and waking without an alarm.)
20) Getting food- from farm stands, my butcher, my egg farmer, my milk farmer, Ithaca Farmers Market
21) Cheesecake
22) Wing Night with my family
23) Exercise- biking, running, lifting really heavy sh*t.
24) Getting pierced or tattooed
25) Wickerman!
Can you list 25 Healthy Pleasures in your life?
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Witchcraft & Dating
Am I the only one who thinks dating SUCKS!?
It does, and I don't want to do it anymore. Hell, arranged marriages are sounding pretty damn good right about now. You get your match, you're stuck together and you learn to love that person and deal with it. What could possibly go wrong?
Could it be me? Is it just a horrible run of bad luck or do I just choose really, really badly?
This last let down really steams me. He doesn't want to date because I will eventually meet his little boy, who's three years old. Initially the Pagan/Witch thing didn't seem like it would be a problem, but it became a concern when he realized I would eventually meet his kid.
What. The. Fuck?
Seriously, what is he worried about? That I would sacrifice the kid? Or in some way be a bad influence? He wouldn't want his kid exposed to "Pagan things?" And the guy isn't Christian, or any sort of hard-line religious person. He could be considered equally Pagan even!
I don't know. I didn't ask. It's not worth the discussion, I figure. But it does make me take a step back and say "Wow."
Really, maybe I'm naive. I thought we lived in a country, and for New Yorkers a state, where this stuff didn't seem to be an issue any more. Ok, I get it if you live in the Bible Belt, but come on. This is New Freakin' York. Liberal homeland. Wait, that's California...
But wow, I didn't realize that Witches have such a stigma against them still. Paganism is normal to me. Most everybody I know is totally cool with me, and my path. My parents didn't bat an eye when I jumped up to participate in a Voodoo ritual at the Pagan Pride Day last weekend. It's nothing for a friend to ask me to do a cleansing for her. I'm even totally out of the "broom closet" at work. Sure, the guys joke about me casting love spells, and they're always curious about just what sort of weird stuff I do on Halloween, but they'd never hold my religion against me. Maybe I just lulled myself into thinking that the whole world is as tolerant as most of the people around me.
It really does sort of throw me. Not this one particular guy or this situation per se, but what it represents. I feel like I've walked into a brick wall that was there the entire time and I was oblivious. I'm really having a hard time wrapping my brain around the idea that people still fear us, or are skeptical of trusting us, or whatever...
My paradigm has been totally turned on end. My bubble has been burst. A total "Whoa" moment.
There's nothing I can do really but carry on and hope for better luck next time.
Geeze...
It does, and I don't want to do it anymore. Hell, arranged marriages are sounding pretty damn good right about now. You get your match, you're stuck together and you learn to love that person and deal with it. What could possibly go wrong?
Could it be me? Is it just a horrible run of bad luck or do I just choose really, really badly?
This last let down really steams me. He doesn't want to date because I will eventually meet his little boy, who's three years old. Initially the Pagan/Witch thing didn't seem like it would be a problem, but it became a concern when he realized I would eventually meet his kid.
What. The. Fuck?
Seriously, what is he worried about? That I would sacrifice the kid? Or in some way be a bad influence? He wouldn't want his kid exposed to "Pagan things?" And the guy isn't Christian, or any sort of hard-line religious person. He could be considered equally Pagan even!
I don't know. I didn't ask. It's not worth the discussion, I figure. But it does make me take a step back and say "Wow."
Really, maybe I'm naive. I thought we lived in a country, and for New Yorkers a state, where this stuff didn't seem to be an issue any more. Ok, I get it if you live in the Bible Belt, but come on. This is New Freakin' York. Liberal homeland. Wait, that's California...
But wow, I didn't realize that Witches have such a stigma against them still. Paganism is normal to me. Most everybody I know is totally cool with me, and my path. My parents didn't bat an eye when I jumped up to participate in a Voodoo ritual at the Pagan Pride Day last weekend. It's nothing for a friend to ask me to do a cleansing for her. I'm even totally out of the "broom closet" at work. Sure, the guys joke about me casting love spells, and they're always curious about just what sort of weird stuff I do on Halloween, but they'd never hold my religion against me. Maybe I just lulled myself into thinking that the whole world is as tolerant as most of the people around me.
It really does sort of throw me. Not this one particular guy or this situation per se, but what it represents. I feel like I've walked into a brick wall that was there the entire time and I was oblivious. I'm really having a hard time wrapping my brain around the idea that people still fear us, or are skeptical of trusting us, or whatever...
My paradigm has been totally turned on end. My bubble has been burst. A total "Whoa" moment.
There's nothing I can do really but carry on and hope for better luck next time.
Geeze...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Foodie Find: Sea Buckthorn
The other week at the Ithaca Farmers Market I stumbled across another neat foodie find. Sea Buckthorns! I'd never seen nor heard of them, but they were strangely attractive. Funky bright yellow berries on a spiny branch with wispy leaves. It looked oh so exotic! The vendor let me have a taste and indeed, they tasted exotic!
Some people also know them as "seaberry" or "sandthorn." When I looked them up, it appears that they like dry, sandy areas with lots of sun. In fact they don't tolerate shade very well. They might be perfectly happy out in the middle of a big empty field somewhere, or along coastlines. Basically places that more delicate plants couldn't survive. I have to say, to find them in Ithaca NY is something of a surprise, but I suppose if they're durable enough it's not that crazy an idea. Apparently they make lovely landscaping.
Harvesting is something of a pain, and it seems the easiest and most economical method is to just clip the branches and freeze them, but this is damaging to the shrub. This is how my berries were harvested and I do feel a bit bad about it. Picking the berries off the branch while fresh is time consuming and messy. In fact I was "forced" to eat the casualties of my initial clumsy attempts. The more I picked though, the easier it got. Freezing the branch would have made it easy, but I wanted my berries to remain fresh for use. Maybe next time I'll freeze them, or some of them.
Sea Buckthorn berries are said to be one of the great "super fruits." Indeed they're very rich in vitamin C (which simply the taste of the fruit can attest to.) They're very bitter but delicious, much like somebody concentrated a grapefruit into a tiny yellow berry. Vitamin C content is about 15 times that of an orange. The flesh is milky yellow and oily, but very good for you. When crushed and pressed into juice, the juice separates into three layers. The first layer is a thick orange cream, the middle consists of the fruits saturated and polyunsaturated fats, and the bottom is sediment and juice. In fact just crushing a berry with your fingers you can see the separation of parts.
Many of the sites I found online say to use the oil for cosmetics, or are sites marketing cosmetics made with sea buckthorn. There are a number of recipes available online for foods ranging from syrups to sorbets, pies and muffins.
Personally, I think they're absolutely delicious raw and will probably simply eat them that way unless I can get enough to make a worthwhile batch of syrup or sauce. It would taste lovely with goose for Christmas but I have so few now that it's just not an option. What a lovely snack though! This is definitely one of my favorite IFM foodie finds!
Harvesting is something of a pain, and it seems the easiest and most economical method is to just clip the branches and freeze them, but this is damaging to the shrub. This is how my berries were harvested and I do feel a bit bad about it. Picking the berries off the branch while fresh is time consuming and messy. In fact I was "forced" to eat the casualties of my initial clumsy attempts. The more I picked though, the easier it got. Freezing the branch would have made it easy, but I wanted my berries to remain fresh for use. Maybe next time I'll freeze them, or some of them.
Sea Buckthorn berries are said to be one of the great "super fruits." Indeed they're very rich in vitamin C (which simply the taste of the fruit can attest to.) They're very bitter but delicious, much like somebody concentrated a grapefruit into a tiny yellow berry. Vitamin C content is about 15 times that of an orange. The flesh is milky yellow and oily, but very good for you. When crushed and pressed into juice, the juice separates into three layers. The first layer is a thick orange cream, the middle consists of the fruits saturated and polyunsaturated fats, and the bottom is sediment and juice. In fact just crushing a berry with your fingers you can see the separation of parts.
Many of the sites I found online say to use the oil for cosmetics, or are sites marketing cosmetics made with sea buckthorn. There are a number of recipes available online for foods ranging from syrups to sorbets, pies and muffins.
Personally, I think they're absolutely delicious raw and will probably simply eat them that way unless I can get enough to make a worthwhile batch of syrup or sauce. It would taste lovely with goose for Christmas but I have so few now that it's just not an option. What a lovely snack though! This is definitely one of my favorite IFM foodie finds!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Synchronicity
Synchronicity.
Wow, that seems to be the word of the week. It's popping up everywhere and making life quite the puzzle lately. I'm not really sure what to make of it.
It started with my "Journaling for Health" course where the word first entered my consciousness. It was a very enlightening session that confirmed feelings I'd been having for a while- the need to not just be 100% honest, but 1000% honest- with myself, with friends and family, with blog readers, and someday my clients. Glenn Beck is real big on truth and honor, and living life in a manner that leaves you vulnerable to no one. Being so honorable as our Founding Fathers would be proud of. I need to do that.
I worry a lot about my age. I'm 6 months from being 30 for Christ's sake and I'm not married, no kids. Not even close! 30 isn't bad, but I don't have much to show for 3 decades on this mud ball. That's scary to me. I know in today's world it shouldn't be, but it is. On one hand I'll be ok with the way my life turns out, but on the other I know there will be regrets, no matter what path my life does take. If I don't have kids and have a fulfilling career, I'll regret not being a work-from-home mom. If I do become a mom and homeschool, I will regret not being more independent. It's a lose/lose situation it seems.
I need to stop mourning what might or might not happen, and that I can't have my cake and eat it too. No cake for this Primal.
Synchronicity reared up again at the Rochester Pagan Pride. So many things came together that day. It's almost overwhelming. I definitely recognize my need for being more spiritual, and quite frankly I need to cast me some spells! I've been a lazy Witch lately. Between Dorothy Morrison's workshop and Witchdoctor Utu's ritual, I'm convinced it's time to get off my butt and work some magic. Gods know I need it. And it appears the Gods are blessing me with new Witches in my life. Finally! Maybe it's time to do something with them!
It's no coincidence that the Full Moon, the 30-Day Primal Challenge AND these workshops all landed about the same time. I need to get about the business of burning off some of this fat (yes, I gained fat while being Primal. Sue me.) I need to get my hands on some C-A-S-H, cash, and I need to find me a sexy Primal, Pagan man to rock my world (and spoil me rotten.) Yup, I said that.
It's a funny feeling when your spirit is walking in line with the Universe. it just needed Grandma Hazel to remind me, and a Voodoo ritual to kick start my enthusiasm.
I'm definitely open to the possibilities of what could happen these next several weeks. My anticipation for Halloween is almost unbearable. Signs are flying at me from every direction and all I want is to not fall off the track.
Primal 30-Day Challenge Notes:
Slept late and didn't make it to the gym. Did Sun Salutations before work.
Was un-hungry most of the day. Finally ate some white cucumbers and sea buckthorn berries around 2:00, and a coconut milk protein shake at 3:30.
Sprints after work. Oh my gawd I'm bad at that. No way will I do these more than once a week. Was a nice casual walk home and it felt nice. Sprinted up the driveway, being chased by my dad's truck- lol.
Picked wild apples and grapes. Can't get much more Primal. Ate an apple and one bunch of grapes. So tart and so delicious!
Dinner was an odd but yummy soup. Boar broth, leftover beef heart bits, and young Thai coconut meat with minced garlic, onion and chili powder.
Going to try to get more sleep tonight. Need to drink more water too.
Over all, feeling good. :)
Wow, that seems to be the word of the week. It's popping up everywhere and making life quite the puzzle lately. I'm not really sure what to make of it.
It started with my "Journaling for Health" course where the word first entered my consciousness. It was a very enlightening session that confirmed feelings I'd been having for a while- the need to not just be 100% honest, but 1000% honest- with myself, with friends and family, with blog readers, and someday my clients. Glenn Beck is real big on truth and honor, and living life in a manner that leaves you vulnerable to no one. Being so honorable as our Founding Fathers would be proud of. I need to do that.
I worry a lot about my age. I'm 6 months from being 30 for Christ's sake and I'm not married, no kids. Not even close! 30 isn't bad, but I don't have much to show for 3 decades on this mud ball. That's scary to me. I know in today's world it shouldn't be, but it is. On one hand I'll be ok with the way my life turns out, but on the other I know there will be regrets, no matter what path my life does take. If I don't have kids and have a fulfilling career, I'll regret not being a work-from-home mom. If I do become a mom and homeschool, I will regret not being more independent. It's a lose/lose situation it seems.
I need to stop mourning what might or might not happen, and that I can't have my cake and eat it too. No cake for this Primal.
Synchronicity reared up again at the Rochester Pagan Pride. So many things came together that day. It's almost overwhelming. I definitely recognize my need for being more spiritual, and quite frankly I need to cast me some spells! I've been a lazy Witch lately. Between Dorothy Morrison's workshop and Witchdoctor Utu's ritual, I'm convinced it's time to get off my butt and work some magic. Gods know I need it. And it appears the Gods are blessing me with new Witches in my life. Finally! Maybe it's time to do something with them!
It's no coincidence that the Full Moon, the 30-Day Primal Challenge AND these workshops all landed about the same time. I need to get about the business of burning off some of this fat (yes, I gained fat while being Primal. Sue me.) I need to get my hands on some C-A-S-H, cash, and I need to find me a sexy Primal, Pagan man to rock my world (and spoil me rotten.) Yup, I said that.
It's a funny feeling when your spirit is walking in line with the Universe. it just needed Grandma Hazel to remind me, and a Voodoo ritual to kick start my enthusiasm.
I'm definitely open to the possibilities of what could happen these next several weeks. My anticipation for Halloween is almost unbearable. Signs are flying at me from every direction and all I want is to not fall off the track.
Primal 30-Day Challenge Notes:
Slept late and didn't make it to the gym. Did Sun Salutations before work.
Was un-hungry most of the day. Finally ate some white cucumbers and sea buckthorn berries around 2:00, and a coconut milk protein shake at 3:30.
Sprints after work. Oh my gawd I'm bad at that. No way will I do these more than once a week. Was a nice casual walk home and it felt nice. Sprinted up the driveway, being chased by my dad's truck- lol.
Picked wild apples and grapes. Can't get much more Primal. Ate an apple and one bunch of grapes. So tart and so delicious!
Dinner was an odd but yummy soup. Boar broth, leftover beef heart bits, and young Thai coconut meat with minced garlic, onion and chili powder.
Going to try to get more sleep tonight. Need to drink more water too.
Over all, feeling good. :)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
The Pebble in My Shoe
Last Friday I attended the first of 2 workshops for my Journaling for Health class. It was an interesting and enlightening 7 hours that really got me thinking about a lot of things. One writing assignment we had was "The Pebble in My Shoe" that got us to all think and write about the thing that is bothering us- like a little stone in your shoe you try to ignore because it's not that painful, but kind of annoying. That little thing that nags at me, just a subtle poke, nudge, pssst... With journaling we were told that sometimes the thing you want to write about least is the thing you should write about most. Looking at my unfinished blog posts I realize this might well be true.
I've decided to blend my journaling course with this blog. The pebble in my shoe- the thing that's been bothering me that I've left neglected is the nitty gritty on the Paleo/Primal lifestyle, my struggles with food and body image, and the hard parts along the way to living a better, healthier lifestyle. My pebble is authenticity. I don't think I'm a liar by any means, but I do tend to omit too much perhaps. The bad days, the struggles, the temptations, the stumbles. Addressing the pebble in my shoe is to tell my story as it is with no sugar coating. Screw sugar. It ain't Primal. Is Primal lifestyle hard? Sure. So why not be hard right back?
I want to help people don't I? I want to teach them to be healthy right? And isn't part of being healthy and happy about being true to yourself? How the hell am I going to do that if I try to wrap everything up in pretty paper and make it look easy when IT AIN'T EASY. Sure, it might be easy for some. Those lucky ones who have never been fat or had low self-esteem. They don't get it. Us fatties and former fatties get it. I sometimes think that being formerly fat is like being a recovering alcoholic. You're always an alcoholic, and I'm always fat. My body may be smaller but I still think like a fat person. Isn't that the reason I was fat in the first place!?
Primal life can be easy at times, but it can also be hard. This is the pebble in my shoe. My (someday) clients are gonna slip, slide and fall off track. I sure as hell have, and still do, so why not lay it out there and just say "Look... this is how it is. These are my struggles. This is what I deal with. You may deal with them too, so trust me. When life isn't easy and you make a mistake, trust me. I understand." To tell somebody I can help them get all healthy and life will be peachy- well that just ain't so. To make them think I did it flawlessly by omitting the bad stuff, well that's no better than lying. They're going to slip and struggle, then feel even worse because they think everyone else is doing it perfectly while they're "failing" and the reality is everybody else is failing too. They just don't know it!
Truth be told, in the Primal and Paleo circles, some of us are broken. Maybe we've got some issues, some dings and dents. I do, and I know my clients will. I really believe absolute healing can only happen with truth- both my healing and theirs. One thing I learned this week is that my Primal lifestyle and my spirituality are intimately linked, so when I neglect one, sooner or later the other will be affected. I've got to nourish them both or I die. I don't want my health nor my spirituality to die.
You're going to find some different posts here, with a different tone. Not that this blog is going to become my personal journal completely, but you'll be seeing a lot more of my inner workings over the next few months. It's a healing process for myself to be absolutely truthful and not leave anything out. That's dangerous, I know. To be exposing my soul to essentially the whole world... that's some heavy stuff. It's an experiment that may very well bite me in the ass, and I know it. My friends, my family, potential romantic partners, everyone in the world will have a window in and there won't be any secrets. Everything in my says "Stop! This is a BAD idea." I'm kind of wondering what my journaling professor thinks of it- if she thinks it's a bad idea too. Probably. But I'm going to try it anyways.
Why would I risk myself like this? I haven't the foggiest clue, other than maybe somebody else out there gets it and understands. Not for my own consolation or comfort, but for theirs maybe?
The Primal 30-Day Challenge starts tomorrow, which I'm hoping is a turning point for me physically, and hopefully this blog will be a turning point for my spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. So let the great experiment begin.
I've decided to blend my journaling course with this blog. The pebble in my shoe- the thing that's been bothering me that I've left neglected is the nitty gritty on the Paleo/Primal lifestyle, my struggles with food and body image, and the hard parts along the way to living a better, healthier lifestyle. My pebble is authenticity. I don't think I'm a liar by any means, but I do tend to omit too much perhaps. The bad days, the struggles, the temptations, the stumbles. Addressing the pebble in my shoe is to tell my story as it is with no sugar coating. Screw sugar. It ain't Primal. Is Primal lifestyle hard? Sure. So why not be hard right back?
I want to help people don't I? I want to teach them to be healthy right? And isn't part of being healthy and happy about being true to yourself? How the hell am I going to do that if I try to wrap everything up in pretty paper and make it look easy when IT AIN'T EASY. Sure, it might be easy for some. Those lucky ones who have never been fat or had low self-esteem. They don't get it. Us fatties and former fatties get it. I sometimes think that being formerly fat is like being a recovering alcoholic. You're always an alcoholic, and I'm always fat. My body may be smaller but I still think like a fat person. Isn't that the reason I was fat in the first place!?
Primal life can be easy at times, but it can also be hard. This is the pebble in my shoe. My (someday) clients are gonna slip, slide and fall off track. I sure as hell have, and still do, so why not lay it out there and just say "Look... this is how it is. These are my struggles. This is what I deal with. You may deal with them too, so trust me. When life isn't easy and you make a mistake, trust me. I understand." To tell somebody I can help them get all healthy and life will be peachy- well that just ain't so. To make them think I did it flawlessly by omitting the bad stuff, well that's no better than lying. They're going to slip and struggle, then feel even worse because they think everyone else is doing it perfectly while they're "failing" and the reality is everybody else is failing too. They just don't know it!
Truth be told, in the Primal and Paleo circles, some of us are broken. Maybe we've got some issues, some dings and dents. I do, and I know my clients will. I really believe absolute healing can only happen with truth- both my healing and theirs. One thing I learned this week is that my Primal lifestyle and my spirituality are intimately linked, so when I neglect one, sooner or later the other will be affected. I've got to nourish them both or I die. I don't want my health nor my spirituality to die.
You're going to find some different posts here, with a different tone. Not that this blog is going to become my personal journal completely, but you'll be seeing a lot more of my inner workings over the next few months. It's a healing process for myself to be absolutely truthful and not leave anything out. That's dangerous, I know. To be exposing my soul to essentially the whole world... that's some heavy stuff. It's an experiment that may very well bite me in the ass, and I know it. My friends, my family, potential romantic partners, everyone in the world will have a window in and there won't be any secrets. Everything in my says "Stop! This is a BAD idea." I'm kind of wondering what my journaling professor thinks of it- if she thinks it's a bad idea too. Probably. But I'm going to try it anyways.
Why would I risk myself like this? I haven't the foggiest clue, other than maybe somebody else out there gets it and understands. Not for my own consolation or comfort, but for theirs maybe?
The Primal 30-Day Challenge starts tomorrow, which I'm hoping is a turning point for me physically, and hopefully this blog will be a turning point for my spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. So let the great experiment begin.
Pagan Pride in Rochester
As I've probably said before, I practically live for September and the Pagan Pride festivals around New York. Yesterday I attended the Rochester PPD and had an absolutely wonderful time. While it wasn't as great as years past, it was much improved over last year. This year was RPPD's 13th anniversary, which made it a very special occasion.
Vendors, food, workshops, and music were the highlights of the day. I had a few personal experiences that made the day exceptionally special.
The first workshop was with Dorothy Morrison, author and this year's guest speaker. Her workshop was a guided walk through magical ethics, also titled "Does Uncle Fred Need a Good Killin'?"
It was funny and thoughtful and really did make me take stock on just where I stand on my "magical morals." What is acceptable magic, and what is unethical? The lines are a lot less defined than I believed they were- not that there's anything wrong with that. Sometimes you need a good reality check!
I also got one of my books signed by Dorothy!
The second workshop was on Spirit Guides and how to connect with them. I really didn't expect to get much from this one but sat in because I thought it was something my mom would like. It was interesting though, and I got a real treat at the end of it. The presenter, Tanya Canderlaria, did some personal readings and I was one of the lucky ones to get a reading.
She said she saw a younger woman, between her 30's and 40's with long dark hair. She said she saw a lot of color, that the woman was sort of unconventional for her time. She said the woman liked what I'm doing- my bright colored hair and tattoos, and outgoing appearance. She said the woman was telling me I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be in life and not to worry.
This was really cool. I think this woman Tanya saw was my grandmother whom I'd never known, but always wanted to. She died at the age of 36 when my mom was just a little girl. She had a lot of tattoos and I was told she was a rum runner when she was young- a very unconventional woman at that time! As I approach my 30's with no real career to speak of, no husband, and no children, I sometimes (half) jest that "I thought I'd be further along in life than this." Maybe Grandma Hazel is right- I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
After that, Witchdoctor Utu spoke on Voodoo- with limited wares as there were some border crossing issues with Canada. I attended his workshop last year and really enjoyed it. This year since there were some hang-ups with him and his drummers crossing the border, and the blessings they received along the way to get them back to Rochester, it was only appropriate to give thanks to Oshun for all her help. Some of us were encouraged to participate and indeed I did. This was my first Voodoo ritual!
I can't say I know much about Voodoo but it was a VERY moving experience. Guided by Witchdoctor Utu and his drummers we first asked the blessing of Papa Legba to open the gates, both the gate to the bridge over the river (Oshun) and the gates within ourselves. Then we asked the blessing of Ogun, for protection and give us the courage to cross the gate, to ask Oshun for her blessings, and do the hard work that needs to be done to make that blessing come true. Then finally we entered the bridge and gave our offerings to Oshun, asking her blessings for various things. I will not say what blessings I asked beautiful Oshun for, but I hope she will give them! I feel her connection as I feel for the beautiful goddess, Hathor. Perhaps there is meaning in that.
One thing I will say though... I can definitely understand how people will convulse or speak in tongues during rituals. I felt things I never felt before and it was beautiful. I don't think I'm dedicated enough to take on Voodoo as my path and give it the reverence it deserves, but there is something beautiful and uplifting about that path that I very much enjoy. I hope the Orishas and the Loa would not feel offended if I adopt some of the Voodoo practices into my own craft.
We wrapped up the day with some more shopping. My sister and I got our faces painted in the spirit of the day- me with the fiery colors of an Aries and her in the cool blues of Aquarius. I also made a new friend, Chelse. We learned we have so many common interests and even share our birthday! How neat is that!?
I have definitely felt a renewal in my spirituality just from that one day, and am really looking forward to another dose next Saturday at the Syracuse event!
Vendors, food, workshops, and music were the highlights of the day. I had a few personal experiences that made the day exceptionally special.
 |
| My autographed book. :) To Deanna- With Much Love, Dorothy Morrison |
It was funny and thoughtful and really did make me take stock on just where I stand on my "magical morals." What is acceptable magic, and what is unethical? The lines are a lot less defined than I believed they were- not that there's anything wrong with that. Sometimes you need a good reality check!
I also got one of my books signed by Dorothy!
The second workshop was on Spirit Guides and how to connect with them. I really didn't expect to get much from this one but sat in because I thought it was something my mom would like. It was interesting though, and I got a real treat at the end of it. The presenter, Tanya Canderlaria, did some personal readings and I was one of the lucky ones to get a reading.
She said she saw a younger woman, between her 30's and 40's with long dark hair. She said she saw a lot of color, that the woman was sort of unconventional for her time. She said the woman liked what I'm doing- my bright colored hair and tattoos, and outgoing appearance. She said the woman was telling me I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be in life and not to worry.
This was really cool. I think this woman Tanya saw was my grandmother whom I'd never known, but always wanted to. She died at the age of 36 when my mom was just a little girl. She had a lot of tattoos and I was told she was a rum runner when she was young- a very unconventional woman at that time! As I approach my 30's with no real career to speak of, no husband, and no children, I sometimes (half) jest that "I thought I'd be further along in life than this." Maybe Grandma Hazel is right- I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
After that, Witchdoctor Utu spoke on Voodoo- with limited wares as there were some border crossing issues with Canada. I attended his workshop last year and really enjoyed it. This year since there were some hang-ups with him and his drummers crossing the border, and the blessings they received along the way to get them back to Rochester, it was only appropriate to give thanks to Oshun for all her help. Some of us were encouraged to participate and indeed I did. This was my first Voodoo ritual!
I can't say I know much about Voodoo but it was a VERY moving experience. Guided by Witchdoctor Utu and his drummers we first asked the blessing of Papa Legba to open the gates, both the gate to the bridge over the river (Oshun) and the gates within ourselves. Then we asked the blessing of Ogun, for protection and give us the courage to cross the gate, to ask Oshun for her blessings, and do the hard work that needs to be done to make that blessing come true. Then finally we entered the bridge and gave our offerings to Oshun, asking her blessings for various things. I will not say what blessings I asked beautiful Oshun for, but I hope she will give them! I feel her connection as I feel for the beautiful goddess, Hathor. Perhaps there is meaning in that.
One thing I will say though... I can definitely understand how people will convulse or speak in tongues during rituals. I felt things I never felt before and it was beautiful. I don't think I'm dedicated enough to take on Voodoo as my path and give it the reverence it deserves, but there is something beautiful and uplifting about that path that I very much enjoy. I hope the Orishas and the Loa would not feel offended if I adopt some of the Voodoo practices into my own craft.
We wrapped up the day with some more shopping. My sister and I got our faces painted in the spirit of the day- me with the fiery colors of an Aries and her in the cool blues of Aquarius. I also made a new friend, Chelse. We learned we have so many common interests and even share our birthday! How neat is that!?
 |
| Witchy Sistas! Danielle (Aquarius) and Me (Aries.) |
I have definitely felt a renewal in my spirituality just from that one day, and am really looking forward to another dose next Saturday at the Syracuse event!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
What I Learned This Week
The first week of school is finished! So far so good. I figured the best way to stay up to date with the blog, and take stock of my progress is by doing a weekly update on what I've learned. And, if we're all lucky I can throw in a recipe or misadventure mid week. *fingers crossed*
So, my classes are as follows...
Elementary Algebra
It appears I haven't forgotten quite as much as I thought. Or perhaps I'm just paying better attention this time through. In either case I got a 100 on my first quiz, and everything is making sense. It's really nice to not be confused by math for once. Let's hope this holds.
Consumer Health
So far so good. No big arguments (yet.) Most of the material is fairly agreeable, though in my initial "Consumer Health IQ" I disagreed with some of the True/False questions, or the premise they were based on. For example: Fluoridation of water. True or False? Fluoride toothpaste works so well that water fluoridation is no longer important. The book says "False."
The book we're using is also very antagonistic toward chiropractors, acupuncture and any sort of "alternative" medicine. I'm not surprised, just annoyed. "How trustworthy are chiropractors, acupuncturists and naturopaths?" C'mon... really?
Issues in Women's Health
Also doing ok in this one, but we haven't gotten to any of the "heavy" stuff yet. It's just covering the basics right now of the history of women's health and why it's important, how women's health is different than men's, etc. I'm slightly bugged by the "universal health care" tone that the book has, but again nothing is worth an argument. There has been slight mention of the need to reduce dietary fat intake and eating good-for-you grains. Allow me to roll my eyes for a moment.
Yoga
It rocks. Enough said. Two classes so far and I'm loving the hell out of it. Not to brag or anything, but my teacher assumed I'd done yoga before. Nope... I'm just a good listener I guess. We learned 4 different kinds of twists, did a run-through on Sun Salutations, and a few other poses. I really like Warrior Pose, but I'm going to have to work on my leg strength!
Journaling For Health
I haven't actually had this class yet. We meet next Friday for 7 hours. Yes, SEVEN HOURS, but it's more like a workshop than a class. The professor seems fun and I'm super excited to meet my classmates. The journal assignments have been a real eye opener. I may share some of them eventually.
Besides classes, I've been working on getting into the gym to start lifting. I did my fitness assessment and I guess I did well enough. I'm waiting to hear from my trainer on when we can talk goals and programs. I want to be a Gorilla Girl!
So far staying Primal in my eating too. IFing throughout the morning (since I'm not lifting yet) and breaking fast with a coconut milk & whey shake, then a hearty Primal dinner. I've been treating myself with chocolate after dinner too. Not sure if this is a good thing or not yet. Maybe too much indulgence because I "deserve" it after a long day.
Thank goodness for a long holiday weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to cook some things ahead. Eating more raw foods is seeming more appealing lately too. I'm unsure about the pros and cons of it though. So much debate out there over it. I don't see how it can hurt though.
Here's to an easy going Friday and a weekend to catch up! And if I'm lucky... eggplant pizza.
So, my classes are as follows...
Elementary Algebra
It appears I haven't forgotten quite as much as I thought. Or perhaps I'm just paying better attention this time through. In either case I got a 100 on my first quiz, and everything is making sense. It's really nice to not be confused by math for once. Let's hope this holds.
Consumer Health
So far so good. No big arguments (yet.) Most of the material is fairly agreeable, though in my initial "Consumer Health IQ" I disagreed with some of the True/False questions, or the premise they were based on. For example: Fluoridation of water. True or False? Fluoride toothpaste works so well that water fluoridation is no longer important. The book says "False."
The book we're using is also very antagonistic toward chiropractors, acupuncture and any sort of "alternative" medicine. I'm not surprised, just annoyed. "How trustworthy are chiropractors, acupuncturists and naturopaths?" C'mon... really?
Issues in Women's Health
Also doing ok in this one, but we haven't gotten to any of the "heavy" stuff yet. It's just covering the basics right now of the history of women's health and why it's important, how women's health is different than men's, etc. I'm slightly bugged by the "universal health care" tone that the book has, but again nothing is worth an argument. There has been slight mention of the need to reduce dietary fat intake and eating good-for-you grains. Allow me to roll my eyes for a moment.
Yoga
It rocks. Enough said. Two classes so far and I'm loving the hell out of it. Not to brag or anything, but my teacher assumed I'd done yoga before. Nope... I'm just a good listener I guess. We learned 4 different kinds of twists, did a run-through on Sun Salutations, and a few other poses. I really like Warrior Pose, but I'm going to have to work on my leg strength!
Journaling For Health
I haven't actually had this class yet. We meet next Friday for 7 hours. Yes, SEVEN HOURS, but it's more like a workshop than a class. The professor seems fun and I'm super excited to meet my classmates. The journal assignments have been a real eye opener. I may share some of them eventually.
Besides classes, I've been working on getting into the gym to start lifting. I did my fitness assessment and I guess I did well enough. I'm waiting to hear from my trainer on when we can talk goals and programs. I want to be a Gorilla Girl!
So far staying Primal in my eating too. IFing throughout the morning (since I'm not lifting yet) and breaking fast with a coconut milk & whey shake, then a hearty Primal dinner. I've been treating myself with chocolate after dinner too. Not sure if this is a good thing or not yet. Maybe too much indulgence because I "deserve" it after a long day.
Thank goodness for a long holiday weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to cook some things ahead. Eating more raw foods is seeming more appealing lately too. I'm unsure about the pros and cons of it though. So much debate out there over it. I don't see how it can hurt though.
Here's to an easy going Friday and a weekend to catch up! And if I'm lucky... eggplant pizza.
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